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David Sproat 

and 

Naval Prisoners in the War 
of the Revolution 



With Mention of 

William Lenox, of Gharlestown 



By 

James Lenox Banks 



Xlbe mnlcfterbocfter press 
1909 



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iX 



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Gift 
Authoi 



David Sproat and Naval 
Prisoners 



The Late Dr. John Fiske in his essay on 
the "Old and New Ways of Treating His- 
tory" says: 

The old-fashioned historian was usually satis- 
fied with copying his predecessors and thus 
an error once started became perpetuated; but 
in our time no history written in such a way 
would command the respect of scholars. . . . 
Our first rule then is never to rest contented 
with the statements of earlier historians, unless 
where the evidence behind such statements is 
no longer accessible. 

The authority for many of the statements 
made in reference to the prison ships in the 
War of the Revolution and the treatment 
of the prisoners on those ships is largely the 
unproved charges of early writers and 
tradition founded on the bitter feeling of 



2 David Sproat 

the day. Feeling ran high at that time 
and many accusations were made which 
might have been tempered on second 
thought. Such indeed was the hostility felt 
towards those who had been employed in 
official stations here that many were not 
permitted to remain and sailed for England 
on the evacuation of the city. 

That the guards on these prison ships 
at times exceeded their authority and abused 
the prisoners then, as guards do now, is more 
than probable but no instances have been 
found which show that the officers, in whose 
charge the prisoners were, used other than 
the best means obtainable to relieve their 
distress and promote their comfort. The 
British Government had made no other 
provision for the confinement of naval 
prisoners than on ships. ^ This method of 
confining prisoners instead of on shore has 
been severely criticised and the charge of 
economy may have been in part the motive 
for this mode of imprisonment. In doing so, 
however, the British authorities were acting 
within their rights, as prison ships at that 
time were in use by all civilized nations and 

1 Appendix, p. 56. 



David Sproat 3 

British prisoners were confined on American 
prison ships at Boston, in the harbors of 
Connecticut, and at Esopus on the Hudson. 

While prison ships were in use by the 
British prior to 1779, Httle if any information 
is obtainable in reference to them up to 
that time and although many of the records 
since that year have been lost or destroyed 
sufficient information is accessible to disprove 
many of the assertions made. The purpose 
of this paper then is to treat of the prison 
ships from the Fall of 1779 to the close of the 
war while under the command of David 
Sproat, the Commissary of Naval Prisoners. 

David Sproat was a native of Scotland 
who came to Philadelphia in 1760. As a res- 
ident of that city he was "in very good 
business as a merchant" and "bore an 
exceeding good character."^ He remained 
loyal in his attachment to the English 
Government and in June, 1777, left Phila- 
delphia and joined the British army in New 
York. As soon as his flight was made known, 

his house was ransacked by the Committee, his 
desks broke open, his books, papers and furniture 

1 Testimony of Daniel Cox and others presented with 
memorial, Appendix, p. ii6. 



David Sproat 



much damaged, his clerk confined in a dungeon 
for refusing to give them information, his ser- 
vants turned out of doors and his house con- 
verted into an hospital for the accommodation 
of the rebel soldiers. ^ 

Other losses followed these and that such 
would be the consequences of his act must 
have been anticipated by him. 

On his arrival in New York he found Sir 
William Howe about to start on an ex- 
pedition to Chesapeake Bay and under his 
command Mr. Sproat went as a volunteer, 
receiving the appointment of Commissary 
of Prisoners at the battle of Brandy wine. 

On October 13, 1779, he was appointed 
Commissary General of Naval Prisoners in 
North America and acted as such until the 
end of the war. On several occasions he 
occupied a similar position with reference 
to the prisoners of the army and it was he 
who received and exchanged the soldiers 
taken at Saratoga and Yorktown.^ Upon 
his appointment he at once set to work to 

' Appendix, p. 1 16 ; this house was a three story brick 
dwelling on the S. W. corner of Walnut and Front 
streets and in 1779 was confiscated and sold. 

2 Appendix, p. 118. 



David Sproat 5 

release the naval prisoners then at New York 
and by the following year had exchanged 
3000 and had a balance of 800 due. ^ Shortly 
afterwards there was a dispute as to the 
appointment of his successor and he ten- 
dered his resignation to Rear-Admiral Ar- 
buthnot, who was then cruising off Rhode 
Island. 

This was the situation found by Lord 
Rodney upon his arrival with his fleet at 
New York and at whose request Mr. Sproat 
withdrew his resignation. 

It was not without some intercession [writes 
Lord Rodney] which I made for the sake of 
the public, as this man is the only person 
I can find capable of managing the business 
properly that I prevailed on him to continue 
to act by order from me.^ 

The prison ships were anchored for a time 
in the North River and later in the Wallabout, 
East River, near the site of the present navy- 
yard, and were under the immediate care of a 
naval officer, the guard being composed of 
marines and soldiers. 

» Appendix, p. 125. 
2 Ibid. 



6 David Sproat 

PROBLEM OF HOLDING PRISONERS AT 
NEW YORK 

The most important difficulty in the matter 
of naval prisoners was that of exchange. 
The men were not in the Continental service 
but were privateersmen and under the rules 
of war could only be exchanged for seamen 
and here the trouble arose. The American 
privateersmen upon capturing a ship neglected 
to turn their prisoners over to the proper 
authorities or landed them at insecure places 
permitting their escape' — the result being 
that American seamen taken prisoners soon 
far outnumbered those of their opponents. 

Congress had already requested the dif- 
ferent States to oblige the captains of private 
vessels to deliver over their prisoners to the 
Continental Commissioners but it was seldom 
done. In December, 1 78 1 , General Washing- 
ton in a letter to Congress requesting that 
this rule be enforced says : 

In addition to the motives above mentioned 
for wishing that the whole business of prisoners 
of war might be brought under one general 
regulation, there is another of no small consider- 
ation, which is that it would probably put a 
stop to those mutual complaints of ill treatment 



David Sproat 7 

which are frequently urged on each part. For 
it is a fact that for above two years we have 
had no reason to complain of the treatment 
of the Continental land prisoners in New York 
neither have we been charged with any im- 
proper conduct towards those in our hands. 
I consider the sufferings of the seamen for 
some time past as arising in a great measure 
from the want of that general regulation which 
has been spoken of and without which there 
will constantly be a great number remaining in 
the hands of the enemy. ^ 

To relieve the ships of this constantly 
increasing number the British authorities 
had released many prisoners for whom no 
return was made at the time and in December, 
1 78 1, there was a balance due the British 
of 698 naval prisoners 2 which in June of the 
following year it was claimed had increased 
to upwards of 1300. ^ 

To Mr. Skinner, the American Commissary 
of Prisoners, Mr. Sproat writes: 

Have not I for humanity's sake told you 

1 Appendix, p. 60. 

2 Appendix, p. 62. By cartels settled at Elizabeth- 
town during the year 1780 the balance due the British 
on two occasions was as high as 743 and 722 respec- 
tively. — Treasury Records, London. 

3 Appendix, p. 77, note. 



8 David Sproat 

that I would for the present let the balance 
stand and send you man for man for as many 
as you would send within the British lines, in 
order to free as many as possible from the 
hardships of the then approaching winter?^ 

And again to Captain Griffin, an American 
officer : 

You have too long been a witness of the 
distress and misery attending on imprison- 
ment. . . . You will therefore use your en- 
deavors to get as many released as possible. 
... I mention this to you because I beheve 
you to be a man of humanity. ^ 

Mr. Sproat's proposition for the exchange 
of naval prisoners for British soldiers, there 
being at the time no British seamen, was 
declined by General Washington, as was 
the offer made later by the British authorities 
for liberating prisoners by pecuniary com- 
pensation. To Mr. Sproat's proposition Gen- 
eral Washington replies: 

Mr. Sproat's proposition of the exchange of 
British soldier's for American seamen, if acceded 
to will immediately give the enemy a very con- 
siderable reinforcement and will be a constant 

» Appendix, p. 45. 
^ Ibid, -p. ss. 



David Sproat 9 

draft hereafter upon the prisoners of war in 
our hands. 

It ought also to be considered that few or 
none of the naval prisoners in New York or 
elsewhere belong to the Continental service. 

I however feel for the situation of these un- 
fortunate people and wish to see them relieved 
by any mode which will not materially affect 
the public good. ^ 

Even had the seamen enlisted in the 
Continental service, as some promised to do 
upon obtaining their freedom, it would have 
been an exchange of raw recruits for seasoned 
soldiers. No criticism should be had of 
General Washington's refusal — it was a war 
measure which he considered necessary and 
his explanation is sufficient reason for his 
action. 

The fault lay to a large extent in the 
neglect and indifference of American seamen 
to turn over their prisoners to the proper 
authorities and so permit the exchange and 
freedom of their own countrymen. 

QUESTION OF DIET AND CARE 

The question of feeding not only the 
many prisoners in their keeping but also 

» Appendix, p. 64. 



lo David Sproat 

their own soldiers and sailors must have 
often taxed the abilities of the British 
authorities. Their situation here prevented 
the purchase of meat and provisions from 
the surrounding country. It became neces- 
sary then to ship from England most if not 
all the food consumed and that which was 
fed the naval prisoners was repeatedly 
stated to be similar in all respects to that 
fed the sailors in the navy. That the food 
was in some cases spoiled and unfit for use 
is indeed most probable considering the 
time consumed in its shipment and the pos- 
sibility of deception in its sale to the Gov- 
ernment. That the serving of damaged 
provisions was intentional, as charged, can- 
not be believed. In a letter from Mr. 
Sproat to Mr. Skinner he says : 

Upon the first complaint being made to me 
with respect to provisions I went on board the 
prison ship and wrote down in a large hand on a 
folio sheet of paper the quantity of each species 
of provisions allowed by the king to prisoners of 
war and pasted it on a board provided for that 
purpose and caused it to be hung up in the 
most public place of the vessel, in order that 
every prisoner might see it and requested their 
own officers that they would take in rotation 



David Sproat n 

the trouble to see that they got the full quantity 
of good wholesome provisions; and that when a 
cask happened to prove damaged or otherwise 
bad it should not be served to them but headed 
up again, surveyed and condemned according 
to the custom of the navy. ^ 

In 1 781, in answer to an inquiry from 
General Washington as to the treatment of 
naval prisoners and quality of food supplied 
to them, 2 Captain Dawson, the commanding 
officer then stationed at New York, writes 
that he and other officers of the navy and 
army went on board the prison ships. That 
he ordered all prisoners on deck and ex- 
amined them upon both subjects. That they 
testified they believed their situation was 
made at all times as comfortable as possible 
and that they received their allowance of 
food similar in quality to that served to the 
officers and privates of the guards placed 
over them. The prisoners further testified 
they were not crowded on the prison ships 
and "that two or three of each rank are now 
and have ever been permitted daily to go on 
shore to New York to purchase for themselves 
or on the part of the rest of the prisoners 

» Appendix, p. 41. 2 Ibid.^ p. 47. 



12 David Sproat 

whatever they might be in need of." These 
statements the British officers "declare on 
our honours" are confirmed and corroborated 
by every individual on the prison ships and 
they " declare and implicitly believe that the 
sickness at present among the prisoners arises 
from a want of clothing and a proper at- 
tention to their own cleanliness."^ 

Some weight must be given such a state- 
ment as it cannot be lightly assumed these 
officers deliberately signed a report which 
they knew to be untrue or the testimony in 
support of which was obtained by promises 
or threats. 

Another report, made in 1782, signed by 
a committee of prisoners consisting of twelve 
captains of American vessels and one surgeon, 
certifies that they had gone on board five 
of the prison ships. That they found the 
prisoners in as comfortable a situation as it 
was possible for them to be at that season 
of the year and any report to the contrary 
was ' ' false and without foundation ' ' ; further 
they do declare " in justice to Mr. Sproat and 
the gentlemen acting under him in his de- 
partment that they conscientiously do their 

1 Appendix, pp. 49-54. 



David Sproat 13 

duty with great humanity and indulgence to 
the prisoners and reputation to themselves." ^ 
Mr. Sproat, in referring to this report in a 
letter to Mr. Skinner, says: "surely no one 
will be so hardy as to contradict what they 
have said in the matter," ^ and so far 
as known it was not contradicted by any 
American officer. The signers of this report 
were on parole and for this reason it has 
since been stated their evidence is of little 
value. That they signed the report in 
return for parole is of course possible and 
freedom may have been the reward for 
signing a statement alleged to be untrue. 
It must be remembered however that these 
men were ofificers and probably part owners 
of the ships which had been captured and 
presumably in most cases held higher posi- 
tions in their respective communities than 
did the unfortunate prisoners who composed 
their crews. That these thirteen ofificers, 
for their own freedom, should leave these 
men behind in captivity on the prison ships 
after having given out for publication^ a 

1 Appendix, p. 83. 2 Jbid., p. 96. 

3 Among the newspapers in which this Report was 
printed were the Connecticut Gazette, July 26, 1782; 
Pennsylvania Journal, July 20, 1782; Royal Gazette, 



14 David Sproat 

report which they knew to be false is if true 
hard to believe. If these statements had 
been untrue it would seem they could easily 
have been disproved by the prisoners who 
were being exchanged and it is difficult to 
understand how these officers could have 
benefited by a parole to return home under 
such circumstances. 

That attempts were made to supply the 
naval prisoners with fresh food is evidenced 
by the request to Congress for permission 
for a boat to fish near Sandy Hook for their 
benefit. ^ A request was also made to 
Congress by Mr. Sproat for permission to pur- 
chase wood within the American lines as it 
could be procured much cheaper in that 
way and would enable him to afford the 
prisoners a greater supply. ^ 

On the occasion of a meeting at New 
York between the American and British 
commissaries, in June, 1782, the former 
reported to General Washington that many 
of the prisoners were put on two of the islands 
in the harbor of New York and ''some 

N. Y., June 26, 1782; New York Gazette and the Weekly 

Mercury, N. Y., July i and 8, 1782; New York Packet 

and the American Advertiser, Fish- Kill, July 18, 1782. 

1 Appendix, p. 99. 2 Ibid., p. 99. 



David Sproat 15 

pains taken for the treatment of the sick" ^ ; 
but his assertion that he was not permitted 
to visit the prison ships was at once denied 
by Mr. Sproat. "This I deny. On the con- 
trary, sir, when it was proposed you decHned 
it." 2 

It had been Mr. Sproat's custom to ask 
subscriptions from the charitable people of 
this city with which to purchase clothes and 
bedding for the prisoners and he said he never 
failed in obtaining the amount wanted until 
the fall of 1782. It was upon this occasion 
he personally paid out upwards of £550 
currency in their behalf, ^ which Congress, in 
1784, upon the recommendation of Mr. 
Morris, ^ Minister of Finance, directed to 
be returned to him.s 

The "services and civihties" shown by 
him to the French prisoners were appreciated 
and acknowledged.^ 

To the Governor of Pennsylvania he 
writes : 

Since my appointment to be Commissary 
of Prisoners your Excellency may easily be 

1 Appendix, p. 79. 2 Ihid., p. 97. 

3 Ibid., p. 107. * Ibid., p. 112. 

* Ibid., p. 115. 6 Ibid., p. 109. 



1 6 David Sproat 

informed that I have at all times contributed 
as much as it has been in my power to relieve 
their distress and make confinement as com- 
fortable to them as possible. ^ 

THE COMPLAINT OF CROWDING 

The charge that the prisoners were habit- 
ually crowded on the prison ships was 
denied by the British authorities and such 
occasions must have been the exception 
when the number of ships used for the 
purpose is considered. 

It is impossible [writes Commodore Affleck to 
General Washington] that the greater incon- 
venience, which people confined on board 
ships experience beyond those confined on shore 
can be avoided and a sudden accumulation 
of people often aggravates the evil. But I 
assure you that every attention is shown that 
is possible. 2 

New York was the headquarters for both 
the army and navy and for that reason 
many of the naval prisoners were sent to 
that port where they could be more con- 

» Appendix, p. 104. 
2 Ibid., p. 56. 



David Sproat 17 

veniently and securely held, but they were 
not all confined on the ships — some were 
in the Provost, many were put on Black- 
well's Island and other islands in the harbor, 
and a large number permitted to go on 
parole. 

Others were sent to Great Britain, Halifax, 
and Bermuda but Congress at first objected 
to this and directed that no exchange of 
naval prisoners take place until these sea- 
men were returned to the British garrisons 
in America. ^ The English Government 
adopted this latter method during the Boer 
war and several thousand of her prisoners 
were sent to Bermuda — it was the only 
practical way to hold them. At one time 
five ships 2 were taken up for the reception 
of naval prisoners, two of which were hospi- 
tal ships, being covered with awnings and 
every sick man was furnished with a cradle, 
and bedding, and surgeons were appointed 
to take care of them. ^ The Jersey, the most 
widely known of all, was formerly a 64-gun 
ship carrying a crew of some 400 men' — so dis- 
mantled and at anchor it was computed a 

1 Appendix, pp. 39 and 55. 

2 Ibid., p. 74. 

3 Ibid., pp. 43 and 83. 



1 8 David Sproat 

thousand men need not have been exposed 
to hardships on board of her. The Good 
Hope, another ship, was heated with large 
stoves and had separate quarters for officers 
and men, as had also the Jersey, but, says Mr. 
Sproat, *'in this comfortable situation did the 
prisoners remain until the 5th of March, 1780, 
when they wilfully, maliciously and wickedly 
burnt the best prison ship in the world." ^ 
The following reports and estimates of the 
number of naval prisoners at New York, 
on the dates given, are a denial of many of 
the statements made on this question of 
crowding and show how exaggerated is the 
impression of the number confined. 

Aug. 15, 1780. Capt. Grinnell, a prisoner, 
estimates the number on the Strombolo 
and Scorpion at 300.2 

Oct. 14, 1780. Lord Rodney reports 800 on 
three ships on his arrival which had in- 
creased to 1200 at date of report. •^ 

June 22, 1 781. New London, Conn., letter to 
Penn. Packet says " about 600 " on prison 
ships at New York.^ 

» Appendix, p. 43. 

2 Penn. Packet, Aug. 22, 1780. 

^ Appendix, p. 125. 

* Penn. Packet, July 10, 1781. 



David Sproat 19 

Aug. 27, 1 781. Thomas Andros, a prisoner, in his 

narrative estimates 400 on the Jersey in 

August, which soon increased to 1200, 
Dec. 22^, 1 781. Mr. Skinner, the American 

Commissary, reports "near 500" on all 

ships. ^ 
April 26, 1782. A prisoner in a letter written 

at that time estimates the total number 

at upwards of 700 exclusive of sick.^ 
May 3, 1782. A prisoner in a letter written at 

that time estimates the total number at 

about 1000.^ 
May 25, 1782. A prisoner in a letter written 

at that time estimates the total number 

at about iioo.^ 
June, 1782. Thomas Dring, a prisoner, in his 

narrative says there was an average 

of 1000 on the Jersey. 
Oct., 1782. Alex. Coffin, Jr., a prisoner, in his 

narrative estimates "about iioo" on the 

Jersey. 
April 6-17, 1783. All prisoners were released.^ 

It will be noticed that the estimates given 
in the narratives place the number on the 

1 Appendix, p. 62. 

2 Penn. Packet, May 21, 1782. 

3 Ibid., May 14, 1782. 

* Ibid.. Packet, June 18, 1782. 

5 Ibid., April 17, 1783; Appendix, p. 102. 



2 David Sproat 

Jersey alone at from 400 to 1 200, but it should 
be remembered that most or all of the narra- 
tives were written years after the war. 

In June, 1782, General Washington and 
Mr. Skinner objected to confining as many 
as ' '800 " on the Jersey at that season of the 
year. ^ As they obtained this information 
from prisoners, permitted to go out to ask 
the exchange of seamen for soldiers, it is 
fairly certain 800 was the highest number 
mentioned at that time — especially as the 
estimate given in a letter dated May 25th 
places a total of about iioo on all ships. 
Mr. Dring's narrative was written in 1824, 
a few months before his death, and it is 
probable he was mistaken in his estimate 
as he was in the more important statement 
of the length of his imprisonment. 2 

How many were confined on the ships 
during the war is not known nor is informa- 
tion obtainable as to the number who died 
thereon. 

1 Appendix, p. 90. 

2 He states he was a prisoner on the Jersey for 
five months after his capture in May, 1782, but 
the records show he was exchanged in about two 
months. — Recollections of the Jersey Prison Ship, 
edited by H. P. Dawson, p. 23, note. 



David Sproat 21 

In a letter dated June 24, 1782, the Ameri- 
can Commissary referred to the deaths 
on the prison ships as having been in the 
"hundreds,"^ and this is the only estimate 
found on this subject which was made by 
any one in authority. 

That many died there can be no doubt 
but the estimates of these numbers are with- 
out any foundation. 

Even as early as 1783 a reckless newspaper 
writer estimated (on what authority it is not 
stated) that precisely 10,644 seamen perished 
on board the Jersey and this baseless conjecture 
has gradually passed into sober history for a 
well-attested fact, as if 10,644 men could have 
died out of one ship in the space of three years 
and been buried on the adjacent shore! The 
number that perished was doubtless fearfully 
great and needed no exaggeration. ^ 

One writer in support of an estimate of 

11,500 says: 

David Sproat returned to America after the 
war and resided in Philadelphia where he died. 
The Commissary could not have been ignorant 
of the statement published here on this interest- 

» Appendix, p. 93. 

2 Valentine's Manual, 1851, p. 417. 



2 2 David Sproat 

ing subject. We may therefore infer that about 
that number, 11,500, perished on the prison 
ships. 1 

Even if vsilence be accepted as proof of such 
a conclusion it would fail in this instance, 
as Mr. Sproat did not return to this country 
and died in Scotland. 

NARRATIVES OF THE PRISONERS 

A few of the prisoners have left narratives 
describing what they say were their ex- 
periences on the prison ships. 

While these narratives are no doubt in a 
large measure true, nevertheless allowance 
must be made for some of the statements 
published' — such as to cause a doubt as to 
the accuracy of their authors or probability 
that the experiences related were those of 
many of their companions. 

Notwithstanding the complaints of close 
confinement, escapes were many and the 
American papers frequently reported the 
return of these men- — in some instances 
escapes having been accomplished by over- 
powering the guards and taking their arms. 

Small -pox, yellow fever, and dysentery 

1 General Jeremiah Johnson — The Naval Magazine, 
1836, vol. i., p. 467. 



David Sproat 23 

carried off many and the sufferings of the 
prisoners at times must have been deplorable. 

Confinement, the want of proper clothing, 
and the neglect of personal cleanliness of 
many no doubt weakened their condition 
and made them an easy prey to disease. 
The difificulty of controlling these epidemics 
will be realized when it is remembered that 
in time of peace, in 1793, in Philadelphia, 
and in 1795, in New York, with committees 
of health appointed, in the case of New York 
by the Governor of the State with power 
to enforce the most rigid quarantine, some 
4000 persons died of yellow fever in Phila- 
delphia and over 750 in New York City. ^ 
The prisoners were "furnished with buckets 
and brushes to cleanse the ship and with 
vinegar to sprinkle her inside but their 
indolence and despair were such that they 
would not use them or but rarely." 2 They 
were the victims of war just as the thousands 
who perished in the Northern and Southern 
prisons eighty years later were victims. 

In contrast to these tales of suffering may 

1 Minutes of the N. Y. Committee of Health; in the 
epidemic of 1798 more than 2000 deaths occurred in 
N. Y. City— Thos. A. Janvier. 

2 Narrative of Rev. Thos. Andros. 



2 4 David Sproat 

be mentioned the experiences of other 
prisoners who relate that friends were per- 
mitted to visit them and furnish them 
with such articles as promoted their comfort ; 
correspondence with their families by letter 
was allowed and the prisoners were even 
permitted to visit their families in distant 
States on their simple word of honor to 
return to captivity within a specified time. ^ 

They were allowed to make purchases 
from the "bum boats" which came along- 
vSide the ship. ^ The drinking water so 
strongly condemned in one instance was 
declared good by others- — one of whom 
states that a large boat was kept in constant 
employment to furnish the necessary supply. ^ 
When desired the reading of funeral services 
was never interfered with. ^ 

It must not be supposed that complaints 
of ill-treatment were made by American pris- 
oners only — they were made by British 
prisoners on exactly similar grounds. ^ Gen- 

1 Narratives of Wm. Drowne and others; Recollec- 
tions of the Jersey Prison Ship, by Dawson. 

2 Sherburne's narrative. 

3 Narrative of Rev. Thos. Andros. 
* Narrative of Wm. Drowne. 

s Appendix, pp. 44, 45, 97, etc. 



David Sproat 25 

eral Washington refers to these complaints 
as " mutual" and " frequently urged on each 
part." 1 

On April 9, 1783, all the men on the prison 
ships at New York were put on board other 
vessels and sent to their respective homes to 
save them the expense and fatigue of long 
marches. 2 

It is interesting to note upon this occasion 
there were only eighteen or twenty sick and 
wounded who could not be removed with 
safety, and they were afterwards sent to 
Boston. 

The mortality of the men on the prison 
ships was not the result of neglect or in- 
humanity of the British and such was never 
proved but was due to the causes herein 
stated. The British authorities repeatedly 
denied the truth of many of the statements 
made at the time and presented evidence 
to the American authorities in support of 
such denial. 

The mere rejection of this evidence in later 
years as untrue does not prove the contrary. 

Nor is it to be believed Mr. Sproat would 

1 Appendix, p. 6i. 

2 Ibid., p. 102. 



26 David Sproat 

write to American officers and Governors of 
the States of his endeavors to relieve the 
condition of the prisoners had such not 
been the truth. He did all in his power 
which the opportunities of the time per- 
mitted, conscious at least of the approval 
of his superior officers ^ and at the close 
of the war of his government. ^ 

He sailed for England in December, 1783, 
and the following year was elected a member 
of the Town Council of Kirkcudbright, Scot- 
land, of which Burgh he was afterwards twice 
elected Provost. He died in October, 1799, 
aged sixty-five years. 

> Appendix, pp. 120-126. 2 Jbid., p. 127. 



WILLIAM LENOX 1 

After the capture of Charleston, S. C, by 
Sir Henry Clinton in May, 1780, that port 
was also used for the confinement of naval 
prisoners. 

On May 21st William Lenox, a nephew of 
Mr. Sproat, was appointed Deputy Com- 
missary of Naval Prisoners by Rear-Admiral 
Arbuthnot and was stationed at Charleston. 
He served as Commissary until his death 
the following year. 

1 A brother of Robert Lenox of New York and of 
Major David Lenox of the Continental Army. 



27 



28 William Lenox 



CHARLESTOWN, S. C. 

Vol. I. The Royal Gazette, No. 23. 

May 16-19, 1781. 

Charlestown, May 19TH. 

Deaths. Last Wednesday evening, after a 
short illness, in the 29 year of his age, 
William Lennox, Esqr., Commissary of Naval 
Prisoners for the Southern District — Univer- 
sally esteemed, beloved and lamented; a cheer- 
ful companion, a sincere, steady friend, and an 
honest man. 



William Lenox 29 



Inscription on tombstone, First (Scotch) 
Presbyterian Churchyard, Charleston, S. C: 

Erected 

In Memory of 

WILLIAM LENOX, ESQR., 

Late 

His Brittannic Majesty's 

Commissary op Prisoners 

Who Died 

The i6th of May, 1781, 

Aged 29 Years. 

A Brother's affection pays this last 

Tribute at the Remembrance of a 

Loving Relation, a Steady friend, a 

Good member of Society, and a 

Sincere Christian. 



Appendix 



LETTER FROM MR. SPROAT TO CAPT. 
GRIFFIN. 

(From the Washington Papers.) 

New York 30th Deer 1780 — 
Sir, 

You have too long been a witness of the 
distress and misery attending on imprisonment — 
You will therefore use your endeavours to get 
as many released as possible — Altho. you are 
greatly indebted — a number of our people are 
withheld from us, at Hartford in Connecticut — 
at East town in Pensylvania and at Philadelphia, 
which for the good of the whole had better be 
sent in. I mention this to you because I believe 
you to be a man of humanity and am 
Sir, 
Your mo. huml Servt. 
David Sproat, 

Commissary Genl. N. P. 
Capt. Griffin. 



33 



LETTERS, REPORTS, ETC. 

(From the New York Gazette and the Weekly 
Mercury, February 12, 1781.) 



I. 



letter from mr. sproat to mr. gaine. 

Mr. Gaine, 

As I apprehend the following affidavit of 
George Batterman and the report of Congress 
derogatory to the honour of the Commander in 
Chief of his Majesty's fleet in America as well as 
the reputation of my office I desire you will 
give both a place in your paper and also insert 
the copy of my letter to Mr. Skinner on the 
occasion. 

II. 

BATTERMAN's DECLARATION. 

The deposition of George Batterman passenger 

on board the brig Providence, from Turks Island 

bound to Rhode Island of lawful age, testifies 

and declares "that he was captured the 15th 

34 



Appendix 35 

day of September last by the Intrepid a 64 
gun ship belonging to the British King, com- 
manded by James Anthony Pic Mewloy, who 
with his own hands took every stitch of cloaths, 
the prisoners brought on board and hove them 
overboard on purpose to distress them, as they 
were of no service to him; and on the 28th of 
said month put us on board of the prison ship 
at New York where we were served about eight 
ounces of condemned bread per day and about 
eight ounces of meat per week; from thence 
transported on board the Jersey, sl 64 gun ship, 
where there were supposed to be iioo Amer- 
icans on board, and we were told that we were 
now in a King's ship and that if we ran away 
we should be brought to the gangway and 
flogged, according to their articles of war; where 
we were supplied with the same quantity of 
bread and meat though neither of them fit to 
eat; and after we were on board a few days 
there came on board recruiting officers and 
finding that our officers persuaded our people 
not to enlist or enter into their service, they 
came on board and told all the officers to give 
in their names to be exchanged ; the day follow- 
ing there came on board several boats and took 
them ashore; we were informed they were sent 
to the provost, then telling the people that 
they never would be exchanged, they enticed 
them to enlist; after they found that this 



36 David Sproat 

scheme would not take they took another 
method, made another draught of officers and 
sent them on board of the Yarmouth, a 64 
gun ship, and they informed us that they were 
sent to England, also that all officers of com- 
missioned vessels should be sent to England. 
The tenth day of December they made another 
draught to send in the fleet and they called 
their names over before we came away. On 
the 5th day of December we were served 
one pint of water when there were 75 puncheons 
in the hold. They have taken this method of 
starving us for the want of water to kill us or to 
make us enter into the service. They never 
allow a man that is sick to go to the hospital 
ship till they are so weak and low that they 
often expire before they get out of the ship. 
They never allow the sick to be mustered only 
when there is a wet or damp air. The com- 
manding officer told us, that his orders were, 
that if the ship took fire, we should all be turned 
below and perish in the flames which we ex- 
perienced one day; by accident the ship took 
fire in the steward's room; the commanding 
officer ordered the Hessian guards to turn us 
below and if we offered to resist that they 
should fire among us and if any of us should 
get into the water they should fire on us and 
kill us if possible. 

George Batterman. 



Appendix 37 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Boston, 
December 19th, 1780. 

The above named George Batterman came 
before me and being duly cautioned to declare 
the truth made solemn oath to the foregoing 
deposition by him subscribed. 

S. HOLTON, 

Justice of the Peace through 
the Commonwealth. 
True copy, attest John Avery, Sec. 



III. 



RESOLVE OF CONGRESS. 

In Congress, January 5th, 1781. 

The Committee to whom were referred the 
letter of Abraham Skinner Commissary General 
of Prisoners and other papers relative to the 
treatment of prisoners in the hands of the 
enemy delivered in a Report as follows: — 

"That notwithstanding every effort of Con- 
gress to obtain for our people, prisoners in the 
hands of the enemy, that treatment which 
humanity alone should have dictated, the British 
commanders unmindful of the tenderness exer- 
cised towards their men prisoners in our hands 
and regardless of the practice of civilized nations 
have persisted in treating our people prisoners 
to them with every species of insult, outrage and 



38 David Sproat 

cruelty. Officers and men are indiscriminately 
thrown into the holds of prison ships and into 
loathesome dungeons and there deprived of fuel 
and the common necessaries of life by which 
means many of the citizens of these States 
have been compelled to enter into their service 
to avoid those distresses which a conduct so 
contrary to the law of nations have brought 
upon them. Our seamen taken upon the 
American Coast have been sent to Great Britain 
and other parts beyond Seas, to prevent their 
being exchanged or to force them to take arms 
against their Country. 

That in the opinion of the Committee an exer- 
cise of the law of retaliation has become neces- 
sary as a justice due to those citizens of America 
whom the fortune of war has thrown into the 
power of the enemy"; whereupon 

Resolved, That copies of the letter of Mr. 
A. Skinner and the other papers referred, be 
transmitted to the Commander in chief and 
that he be directed to enquire into the manner 
in which our people who are prisoners are 
treated by the enemy and that he give imme- 
diate orders to the commanding officers at the 
different posts to take particular care that the 
British prisoners receive the same allowance 
and treatment in every respect as our people 
who are prisoners receive from the enemy. 

Resolved, That it be recommended to the 



Appendix 39 

respective executives to take effectual measures 
for carrying into execution the Act of Congress 
of 13th Jan'y, 1780, respecting prisoners taken 
by the citizens, troops or ships of particular 
States. 

That the Board of Admiralty, issue orders 
not to exchange any British sea officer or 
seaman until the enemy shall have returned 
to some of their garrisons in America such 
seamen as they have taken upon the American 
coast and sent to Great Britain or other 
parts beyond sea; and that the Board of Ad- 
miralty give orders for continuing the treat- 
ment of prisoners as herein directed until they 
receive orders to the contrary from Congress or 
the Commander in Chief. 

Published by order of Congress. 

Charles Thompson Sec'y. 

IV. 

LETTER FROM MR. SPROAT TO MR. SKINNER.^ 

Abraham Skinner, Esqr., American 

Commissary General of Prisoners. 
Sir: 

In a news-paper printed in Philadelphia by 
Mess. Hall & Sellers under the date of the 
17th instant and No. 2,640 I observe inserted a 

1 This letter was also published in the Royal Gazette, 
February 7, 1781. — J. L. B. 



40 David Sproat 

declaration said to be on oath from George 
Batterman before Justice S. Holton, Common- 
wealth of Massachusetts and also a resolve of 
Congress " not to exchange any British sea officer 
or seamen until the enemy have returned to some 
of their garrisons in America such seamen as they 
have taken upon the American coasts and sent 
to Great Britain" which is preceded by the re- 
port of a committee of their own body full of 
declamation against the British Commander. 

As these allegations reflect dishonor on the 
British Commander and department over which 
I am supposed to have the management I shall 
first take the liberty to prove that they are not 
founded on matters of fact but merely calculated 
to deceive the world into a belief of the necessity 
of using our people who fall into their hands ill 
and inflame the minds of those already wounded 
by such impressions — and then state what has 
been the custom and usage to the naval prisoners 
both here and with you; from which the people 
at a distance (for whom their publication seems 
to be prepared) will be enabled to draw just 
conclusions. 

Mr. Batterman says that Captain Mewloy, 
with his own hands took every stitch of cloaths 
the prisoners had and hove them overboard on 
purpose to distress them. 

That they were thrown out of a King's ship 
I can easily believe ; for no dirty rags are suffered 



Appendix 41 

to remain there to breed disorders amongst the 
ships company — Mr. Batterman went on board 
the Jersey prison ship the 28th September and 
was discharged for exchange the loth day- 
December during which time viz. the 5th of 
December he says they were served only one 
pint of water that is each man; and then con- 
cludes "they have taken this method of starving 
us for the want of water to kill us." 

This may go down in New-England but never 
can be believed in Old England or any other 
country. — That very many of them are sick 
and die is true ; but I will not allow that their 
disorders proceed from any other cause than 
dirt, nastiness and want of clothing — he also 
says that they were abridged of the King's allow- 
ance and the provisions bad. — that they "were 
served about eight ounces of condemned bread 
per day and a6(9w^ eight ounces of meat per week," 
may I not suppose that with respect to meat 
the printer has made a mistake in putting the 
word week in place of day — and (without 
prejudice to the gentleman on oath) that he 
may also be mistaken with respect to the 
quantity which I am led to believe from the 
guardedness of his expression. I appeal to Mr. 
Batterman and every other prisoner whether 
or not I have not always redressed their griev- 
ances to the utmost of my power? — upon the 
first complaint being made to me with respect 



42 David Sproat 

to provisions I went on board the prison ship 
and wrote down in a large hand on a folio sheet 
of paper the quantity of each species of pro- 
visions allowed by the King to prisoners of war 
and pasted it on a board provided for that 
purpose and caused it to be hung up in the most 
public place of the vessel in order that every 
prisoner might see it and requested of their own 
officers that they would take in rotation the 
trouble to see that they got the full quantity 
of good sound wholesome provisions; and that 
when a cask happened to prove damaged or 
otherwise bad, it should not be served to them 
but headed up again, surveyed and condemned 
according to the custom of the navy. 

The committee of Congress boldly asserts 
that the British Commander "unmindful of 
the tenderness exercised towards their men, 
prisoners in our hands and regardless of the 
practice of civilized nations has persisted in 
treating our people, prisoners to them with 
every species of insult, outrage and cruelty" 
that "officers and men are indiscriminately 
thrown into the holds of prison ships and into 
loathsome dungeons and there deprived of fuel 
and the common necessaries of life." 

On my appointment to this office, the 13th of 
October 1779, I examined into the state and 
condition of prisoners and prison ships and re- 
ported the same to Admiral Arbuthnot who 



Appendix 43 

ordered me to make every necessary regulation 
in order to accommodate the prisoners as well 
as circumstances would admit. Accordingly 
carpenters were sent from the King's Yard and 
a bulk head run across the prison ship Good 
Hope; the officers were berthed abaft this par- 
tition and the men before it and two excellent 
large stoves purchased with every appurtenance 
thereunto belonging and erected, one in the 
apartment of the officers and the other in the 
apartment of the men. 

Was not the hospital ship equipped in the 
same manner and every sick or wounded person 
furnished with a cradle, bedding and surgeons 
appointed to take care of them? 

In this comfortable situation did the prisoners 
remain until the 5th of March 1780 when they 
wilfully, maliciously and wickedly burnt the 
best prison ship in the world. The perpetrators 
of this horrid crime were not hanged but ordered 
to the provost. 

The prison ship at this time lay in the Walla- 
bough near to a number of transport ships; 
the people belonging to them were so alert in 
snatching the prisoners from the flames, that 
but two out of some hundreds were missing. 
That is what I suppose the Congress alludes 
to when they say that they "were indiscrimi- 
nately thrown into the holds of prison ships": — 
They were indeed without distinction put on 



44 David Sproat 

board the nearest ship called the Woodlands 
where they remained for a short time until the 
ships Strombolo and Scorpion were got ready 
for their reception. But the officers were al- 
ways admitted to parole on Long Island in that 
pleasant village Jamaica until the loth of July 
last when many of them had broke their parole 
and otherways behaved so ill, that it was refused 
them. 

This alteration had not taken place above 
two months when the prisoners were all moved 
on board the ship Jersey where there is a variety 
of apartments for officers and plenty of room 
between decks for the men. 

I have now related to you what has been 
the state and condition of the naval prisoners 
here; and now shall proceed to ask what has 
been the state and condition of those with you — 
Did not the officers belonging to what are called 
the continental frigates in 1779 go on board 
the prison ship at Boston and press all the 
boys into their service? And when the poor 
little fellows cried at the insult and some of 
their captains complained at the usage, Mr. 
Williams late commander of the privateer 
sloop Witch in particular and some others were 
carried on shore thrown into jail and shackled 
with heavy irons ? — Yet Mr. Batterman complains 
of the injustice of a recruiting serjeant going on 
board the prison ship here to enlist volunteers. 



Appendix 45 

Have not many of the King's subjects who 
resided in this country prior to the declaration 
of independence that took shelter in New York 
to avoid oppression and afterwards went to sea 
for a living been taken and carried prisoners 
to Philadelphia and thrown into a dungeon and 
there "treated with every species of insult, out- 
rage and cruelties" sufficient to disgrace any 
nation beyond the mountains? Have you not 
in that plentiful province Pennsylvania fed the 
poor prisoners who were confined in gaol last 
summer on dried clams fourteen or fifteen only 
to a ration and in the fall of the year when meat 
was plenty, on bread and water only? and 
all this under the nose of the very people who 
say that " an exercise of the law of retaliation 
has become necessary." — Have not I for hu- 
manity's sake told you that I would, for the 
present, let the balance stand and send you man 
for man for as many as you should send within 
the British lines in order to free as many as 
possible from the hardships of the then approach- 
ing winter? Did you insert this in your letter 
or any of the papers laid before Congress ? Have 
you informed them of the great numbers due 
to us? Surely they have not made this re- 
solve on purpose to cancel the debt ? However 
if they will but stick to it, it will hurry on 
their misery and distress faster than they are 
aware of and in a short time put the honour 



46 David Sproat 

of every man to the test who is out on 
parole. 

I sincerely sympathize with the poor prisoners 
on both sides in distress and am, Sir, 
Your most obedient 

And most humble Servant 

David Sproat. 
Commissary General for Naval 

Prisoners in North America. 
New York, 29th January 1781. 

V. 

LETTER FROM CAPT. DAWSON TO MR. GAINE. 

Iris off New York, Feb. 5th, 1781. 
Mr. Gaine: 

During the present contest between Great 
Britain and the rebellious, in her North American 
Colonies, it has been the invariable practice of 
their leaders to misrepresent all facts, as might 
best serve their attrocious purposes, and prejudice 
or blind the minds of their fellow subjects, 
less violent, and more honest, or more candid 
than themselves. 

Of this nature is the affidavit, lately published 
in a Boston News-Paper, respecting the treat- 
ment of the Naval prisoners in our possession — 
it has the same object — but it cannot be success- 
ful; because, an extensive and impartial Enquiry 
has taken place and the necessary measures 



Appendix 47 

been adopted on our part, to avert its baneful 
and pernicious effects. 

It is therefore become necessary, for the 
attainment of this valuable and important 
purpose, to publish to the world the enclosed 
papers; and I desire you will accordingly insert 
them in your paper. 
I am Sir, 
Your most obedient, humble Servant, 

G. Dawson. 

VI. 

LETTER FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON TO ADMIRAL 
ARBUTHNOT. 

New Windsor, Jan. 25th, 1781. 
(Received at New York, Feb. ist, 1781.) 

Sir: 

Through a variety of channels, representations 
of too serious a nature to be disregarded have 
come to us, that the American Naval prisoners in 
the harbour of New York, are suffering all the 
extremities of distress — from a too crowded, 
and in all respects, disagreeable and unwhole- 
some situation on board the prison ships; and 
from the want of food and other necessaries. 
The picture given us of their sufferings is truly 
calamitous and deplorable; if just it is the 
obvious interest of both parties (to omit the 
plea of humanity) that the causes should, 



48 David Sproat 

without delay, be enquired into and removed; 
if false, it is equally desireable that effectual 
measures should be taken to obviate mis- 
apprehension. This can only be done by per- 
mitting an officer of confidence on both sides, to 
visit the prisoners in their respective confine- 
ments, and examine into their true conditions : 
This will either at once satisfy you, that by some 
abuse of trust in the persons immediately 
charged with the care of the prisoners, their 
treatment is really such as has been described 
to us and requires a change, or it will convince 
us that the clamours are ill grounded. 

A disposition to agravate the miseries of 
captivity is too illiberal to be imputed to any 
but those subordinate characters who in every 
service are too often remiss or unprincipled. 
This reflection assures me that you will acquiesce 
in the mode proposed for ascertaining the 
truth; for detecting delinquency on one side, 
or falsehood on the other. 

The discussions and asperities which have 
had too much place on the subject of prisoners 
are so irksome in themselves and have had so 
many ill consequences, that it is infinitely to be 
wished there may be no room given to receive 
them. The mode I have suggested, appears 
to me calculated to bring the present matter 
to a fair, direct, and satisfactory issue. I am 
sensible of no inconveniences it can be attended 



Appendix 49 

with, and I therefore hope for your concurrence. 
I shall be glad, as soon as possible to hear from 
you on the subject. 
I am Sir, 

Your most obedient 

And Humble Servant, 

George Washington. 

Admiral Arbuthnot or the 
officer commanding the 
British fleet at New York. 

VII. 

LETTER FROM CAPT. DAWSON TO GENERAL 
WASHINGTON. 

Iris off New York, Feb. 4th, 1781. 
Sir, 

As commanding officer of his Majesty's ships 
at New York, I have received your letter of the 
25th ultimo, and inclose you the result of a 
very particular examination of the treatment 
of the Naval Prisoners in our possession. 

An old sixty-four gun ship is allotted for their 
reception in this harbour, and every possible 
check has been established to prevent any 
practices from creeping in, in violation of the 
laws and precedents of war in similar situations. 
The arrangement of exchange and parole is 
made by the Commissary-General, Mr. David 
Sproat. — Lieut. Sporne, of the Royal Navy, an 



50 David Sproat 

officer of experience and humanity, commands 
the prison ship, which is victualled by a purser, 
with the very same provisions that the officers 
and seamen in the Royal Service are supplied 
with, and it is issued to them in the same 
manner. 

I have transmitted your letter to his excellency 
the Commander in Chief, who is at a distance 
from this port — if his Excellency allows one 
of your officers to come to New York — it is 
well. Whilst it depends upon me it is in- 
admissible. 

I am Sir, Your most obedient 
Humble Servant 

G. Dawson, 
Captain of his Majesty's ship the Iris. 

His Excellency General Washington. 

vni. 

REPORT ON TREATMENT OF NAVAL PRISONERS. 

Report of an enquiry made this day on 
board his Majesty's prison ship the Jersey 
under the command of Lieutenant John Sporne, 
of the Royal Navy, respecting the treatment and 
usage of the naval prisoners in all cases: 

Present: — Captain George Dawson, Com- 
mander of his Majesty's ship the Iris. 

Captain Rupert George, Commander of his 
Majesty's ship the Avenger. 



Appendix 51 

Captain James Battersby, of the 29th Regi- 
ment of Foot and Ensign DeChambault of the 
24th Regiment of Foot. 

The object of the enquiry being considered 
was naturally found to divide itself into two 
points : 

I St. Of the treatment of the prisoners with 
respect to good order and decorum. 

2d. Of the administration of the King's 
allowance of provisions. 

All the prisoners were ordered upon deck, 
mustered and examined upon these subjects. 
Six of the principal officers, of which viz.: 
Stephen Hopkins, late commander of the 
brigantine Maryland, Thomas Hardy, first 
lieutenant of the same, William Barrows 2nd 
lieutenant of the same. Dr. Clement Smith 
surgeon, Robert Duncan, sailing master and 
John Cook, late master of the schooner Flying- 
Fish, being witnesses thereto, attest this report. 

The underwritten being the oldest prisoners 
in our possession, viz : 

William Johnson 
Daniel M'Kib 
John Royster 
luzly turpin 
Peter Deal 
William Beed and 
Patrick Daley 



52 David Sproat 

severally, collectively and voluntarily declare, 
That they have been seven months prisoners 
in the Royal service, and at different periods 
confined in the prison ships Scorpion, Strombolo, 
Hunter and Jersey. That, with respect to the 
first point. They firmly believe their situation 
was made at all times as comfortable as possible, 
and that they were in no instance oppressed 
or ill-treated. 

To the second point they declare, that they 
regularly received the under-mentioned weekly 
allowance of provisions viz : 

Bread sixty-six ounces 

Beef forty-three ounces 

Pork twenty-two ounces 

Butter eight ounces 

Pease one pint and one sixth of a pint 

Oatmeal two pints 

That it is, and ever has been issued to them 
without drawback or deduction and of the very 
same species and quality with which the Com- 
manders, Officers, Seamen and Marines, be- 
longing to the said ships were victualled; as 
also the Officers and privates of the respective 
guards, that have been from time to time placed 
over them; and that they have at all times 
had fuel and every necessary convenience for 
cooking. 

We the under-signed officers in his Majesty's 



Appendix 53 



service declare on our honours, that the above 
testimony is confirmed and corroborated by 
that of every individual in the prison ship. 

We also farther declare, and implicitly believe 
that the sickness at present among the prisoners, 
arises from a want of cloathing and a proper 
attention in themselves to their own cleanliness. 

The prisoners close their general testimony 
with an affirmation that they have never been 
and are not now crowded in the prison ship; 
and that two or three of each rank are now ; and 
have ever been permitted daily to go on shore 
to New York, to purchase for themselves, or on 
the part of the rest of the prisoners, whatever 
they might be in want of. 

Given under our hands on board his Majesty's 
ship the Jersey in the harbour of New York, 
the second day of February 1781. 

G. Dawson 
RuPT. George 
Jas. Battersby 
DeChambault 

f Stephen Hopkins 
Thomas Hardy 
William Barrows 
Clement Smith 
Robert Duncan 
John Cook 



attested 



54 David Sproat 

Note. 

The affidavits of the persons named below, 
sworn to on February 3, 1781 before the Mayor 
of New York were sent to Gen'l Washington and 
formed a part of the foregoing correspondence. 

Copies of the affidavits were printed in full 
in the New York Gazette, February 12, 1781 
and stated in substance that "provisions of 
the same goodness, species and quality" were 
issued to the naval prisoners as during the 
same period were issued to the seamen in the 
Royal Navy. 

Henry Davies, Esqr., agent for victualling his 
Majesty's fleet in North America. 

Alexander M'Kean, Purser of his Majesty's 
ship the Charlestown. 

Joseph Short, of the city of New York, Gentle- 
man, clerk in the office of the agent for 
victualling his Majesty's fleet. 

John Griffith, and 13 others, masters of ships 
and brigantines, navy victuallers. 

John Drake of the City of New York, Gentleman, 
appointed to superintend the victualling of 
Naval Prisoners. 

Peter Robertson, acting Purser of his Majesty's 
prison ship the Jersey. 

Jeremiah Downer, late commander of his Maj- 
esty's prison ship the Stromholo. 

J. L. B. 



REPORT OF CONGRESS READ JAN'Y 29, 

1781 
(From the Papers of the Continental Congress.) 

The Committee to whom was recommitted 
the reports on the Letter of Abraham Skinner 
Comm^ of Prisoners Report as follows: Jany 
28, 1781: 

Resolved, That that clause in the Act of Con- 
gress of the 5th of this Instant, which directs 
"That the board of Admiralty issue orders not 
to exchange any British Sea Officer or Sea man 
until the Enemy shall have returned to some 
of their Garrisons in America, such sea men as 
they have taken upon the American coast and 
sent to Great Britain or other ports beyond 
sea" be Repealed. 

Resolved, That in retaliating for cruelties exer- 
cised by the enemy upon American Prisoners 
officers or privates where there shall not be a 
sufficient number of the Enemy in our Power, 
of the same line, Rank or character; no discrimin- 
ation be made between Prisoners taken from the 
Enemy in the Land or Sea Service, but that 
those of either line and other subjects of the 
enemy be retaliated upon as occasion may 
require. 

55 



EXTRACT OF A LETTER FROM COMMO- 
DORE AFFLECK, COMMANDING AT 
NEW YORK, TO GENERAL WASH- 
INGTON. 

(From The Jersey Prison Ship, Edited by Henry B. 
Dawson). 

New York, 30 August, 1781. 

Sir: 

The Government having made no other 
provision for naval prisoners than shipping, 
it is impossible that the greater inconvenience, 
which people confined on board ships experience 
beyond those confined on shore, can be avoided, 
and a sudden accumulation of people often 
aggravates the evil. But I assure you, that 
every attention is shown that is possible, and 
that the Prison-ships are under the very same 
regulations here, that have been constantly 
observed towards the prisoners of all nations 
in Europe. Tables of diet are publicly affixed, 
officers visit every week, redress and report 
grievances, and the numbers are thinned as 
they can provide shipping, and no attention has 
been wanting. 

56 



Appendix 57 

The latter point cannot be admitted in its 
full extent; but if you think fit to send an 
officer of character. 

I have the honor to be, Sir, 
With due respect, etc., 

Edm. Affleck. 



NOTICE. 

(From the Royal Gazette, New York, Dec. 8, 1781.) 

WHEREAS, it is found by experience that 
indulgencies shewn to prisoners have often been 
abused by them and favored making their es- 
cape — I do therefore require all Captains, Com- 
manders, Masters and Prize Masters belonging 
to the Royal Navy and private vessels of war 
who shall bring naval prisoners into this port; 
not to allow any of them to come on shore on 
any promise or pretence whatsoever, but im- 
mediately after their arrival to cause a report 
of them to be made at the Commissary's Office, 
No. 33 Maiden Lane, where they will be directed 
how to dispose of them. And if notwithstanding 
some may escape while in charge of the captors 
or afterwards from on board the prison ships — 
the person found harbouring or concealing them, 
may depend upon being proceeded against ac- 
cording to the Commandant's proclamation. 

David Sproat, 
Commissary General for 

Naval Prisoners. 

New York, 8th Dec, 1781. 



58 



EXTRACTS OF LETTERS FROM GEN- 
ERAL WASHINGTON TO THE 
PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS, WITH 
ENCLOSURES. 

I. 

(From the Papers of the Continental Congress.) 

Philadelphia, 27 December, 1781. 
Sir: 

I have taken the liberty of enclosing the copies 
of two letters from the Commissary-general of 
prisoners, setting forth the debt, which is due 
from us on account of naval prisoners, the 
number remaining in captivity, their miserable 
situation, and the little probability there is of 
procuring their release for the want of proper 
subjects in our hands. 

Before we proceed to an inquiry into the 
measures which ought to be adopted to enable us 
to pay our debt, and to effect the exchange 
of those, who still remain in captivity, a matter 
which it may take some time to determine, 
humanity and policy point out the necessity 
of administering to the pressing wants of the 
most valuable subjects of the republic. 
59 



6o David Sproat 

Had they been taken in the Continental ser- 
vice, I should have thought myself authorized, 
in conjunction with the Minister of War, to 
apply a remedy ; but as the greater part of them 
were not thus taken, as appears by Mr. Skin- 
ner's representation, I must await the de- 
cision of Congress upon the subject. 

Had a system, some time ago planned by 
Congress and recommended to the several 
States, been adopted and carried fully into ex- 
ecution, I mean that of obliging all Captains 
of private vessels to deliver over their prisoners 
to the Continental Commissioners upon certain 
conditions, I am persuaded that the numbers 
taken and brought into the many ports of the 
United States would have amounted to a suffi- 
ciency to have exchanged those taken from us; 
but instead of that, it is to be feared, that few in 
proportion are secured, and that the few, who 
are sent in, are so partially applied, that it 
creates great disgust in those remaining. The 
consequence of which is, that conceiving them- 
selves neglected, and seeing no prospect of 
relief, many of them enter into the enemy's 
service, to the very great loss of our trading 
interest. Congress will, therefore, I hope, see 
the necessity of renewing their former, or mak- 
ing some similar, recommendation to the States. 

In addition to the motives above mentioned, 
for wishing that the whole business of prisoners 



Appendix 6i 

of war might be brought under one general 
regulation, there is another of no small con- 
sideration, which is, that it would probably- 
put a stop to those mutual complaints of ill 
treatment which are frequently urged on each 
part. For it is a fact, that, for above two years, 
we have had no reason to complain of the 
treatment of the Continental land prisoners 
in New York, neither have we been charged 
with any improper conduct towards those in our 
hands. I consider the sufferings of the seamen 
for some time past, as arising in a great measure 
from the want of that general regulation, which 
has been spoken of, and without which there 
will constantly be a great number remaining 
in the hands of the enemy. 

I have the honor to be, 

Your most obedient servant, 

G. Washington. 

[Enclosures:] 

A. 
MR. SKINNER TO GENL. WASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia December 23, 1781. 

Sir, 

At a meeting with the British Naval Com- 
missary of Prisoners at Elizabeth Town for the 
settlement of our Accounts on the i8th. and 
19th. instant I find a ballance due to the enemy 



62 David Sproat 

of Six Hundred and ninety eight Prisoners in 
the Naval line. From the large ballance that 
is due and the inconsiderable number of pris- 
oners we now have, it is impossible for me to 
relieve those on board the Prison Ship at New 
York amounting to near 500 men and whose 
situation is really miserable. 

I could wish to receive some directions from 
your Excellency relative to those unhappy 
men, or that I might be authorized and enabled 
to furnish them with some assistance as many 
of them are almost naked and have not a blan- 
ket to lay on. 

I am Sir, 
Yours &^ 

Abr^ Skinner 
Commy Genl of Prisoners. 

B. 

MR. SKINNER TO GENL. WASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia December 24 '1^1781. 

Sir, 

In my letter to your Excellency Yesterday I 
mentioned the situation that the Naval Prisoners 
were in at New York and also my inability to 
afford them that relief they stood in need of; — 
In addition to that letter, I beg leave to inform 
your Excellency that those Prisoners are chiefly 
the sailors captured on board of Vessels be- 



Appendix 63 

longing to the different parts of the United 
States employed by individuals of those States, 
and not in Continental service. 

That the many partial Exchanges made by 
the several States individually have frequently 
deranged my accounts with the enemy and 
prevented my releasing those men whom a 
Seniority of Capture entitled to preference of 
Exchange, and consequently has obliged many 
of them to quit the Prison Ship and enter into 
the British Navy and Army. 

That from the 19th. September 1780 I have 
endeavoured to have the whole of the Naval 
Prisoners thrown into one common stock, 
and from that I have released (as far as was 
within my power) the eldest Prisoners in the 
hands of the enemy. 

That from the neglect of Officers and others 
who have frequently captured prisoners at Sea, 
landed them at insecure places, and permitted 
their escapes; I am indebted to the Enemy 
698 men which I am unable to pay and which 
will always be the case unless some general 
and extensive plan is ordered to be pursued, 
the whole of the Naval Exchanges regulated 
through one office and Individuals effectually 
prevented from interfering in the release of a 
Prisoner belonging to any particular State. 

Permit me, threfore, Sir, to suggest to you the 
aforegoing facts and to beg, I may receive such 



64 David Sproat 

instructions relative to the receiving, Exchanging 
and supporting, the Naval Prisoners, as your 
Excellency shall think sufficient. 
I am, Sir, 

Your most ab^ Servant 

Abra^ Skinner, 
Commy Gen' Prisoners. 

His Excellency 

Gen] Washington. 



II. 

Philadelphia, i8 February, 1782. 

Sir: 

I do myself the honor to enclose copies of 
the reports of the Commissary-general of pris- 
oners, who has just returned from New York, 
with copies of the papers to which he refers. 
. . . Mr. Sproat's proposition of the exchange 
of British soldiers for American seamen, if 
acceded to, will immediately give the enemy 
a very considerable reinforcement, and will be 
a constant draft hereafter upon the prisoners 
of war in our hands. It ought also to he con- 
sidered, that few or none of the naval prisoners 
in New York and elsewhere belong to the Conti- 
nental service. I however feel for the situa- 
tion of these unfortunate people, and wish to 



Appendix 65 

see them relieved by any mode, which will not 
materially affect the public good. In some 
former letters upon this subject I have men- 
tioned a plan, by which I am certain they 
might be liberated nearly as fast as captured. 
It is by obliging the Captains of all armed 
vessels, both public and private, to throw 
their prisoners into common stock under the 
direction of the Commissary-general of prisoners. 
By these means they would be taken care of, 
and regularly applied to the exchange of those 
in the hands of the enemy. Now the greater 
part are dissipated, and the few that remain 
are applied partially. I shall be obliged to your 
Excellency for obtaining and transmitting to me 
the sentiments of Congress upon these subjects 
as early as convenient. 

I have the honor to be, 
Your most obedient servant, 

G. Washington. 

[Enclosures:] 

A. 

MR. SKINNER TO GEN^- WASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia, FebY iS^^ 1782 
Sir 

The enemy at New York being desirous to 
exchange Military for Naval prisoners of war — 
I have taken the liberty to enclose Copy of the 



66 David Sproat 

Naval Commissary's letter to me on that subject 
— to which I have returned no answer. 
I am Sir 

Y^ most ob^ and most humble 
Servant 

Ab^^ Skinner 
Commy Genl prisr 
His Excellency 

General Washington. 

B. 
MR. SPROAT TO MR. SKINNER. 

New York 25*!" January 1782. 

Sir 

Motives of humanity have induced the Com- 
manders of His Majestys Fleets upon this 
Coast, from time to time, to permit a greater 
number of American Naval prisoners to be sent 
out to you, than the British prisoners you, or 
your Deputies, had to send in return, which 
makes the difference in account, at this time, 
upwards of seven hundred Men — The same 
principle, which has been so bountifully ex- 
tended to the Americans, actuates His Excel- 
lency Rear Admiral Digby to feel for the 
distressed situation of the British subjects, 
prisoners with you, at this inclement season. 
Therefore, he has been pleased to direct me 



Appendix 67 

to offer to discount with you Five hundred of 
that number, in exchange for an equal number 
of Soldiers now in your hands — reserving the 
remainder of your debt, for the releasement 
of such seamen as may be in the different Gaols 
in America. 

This proposal being equitable, I hope you will 
lose no time in laying it before His Excellency 
General Washington or Congress, in order to 
enable you to send me an answer. 
I am Sir 

Your most ob^ humble serv* 

David Sproat 
Comm^ Gen! for 

Naval prisoners 
AbrP Skinner Esq: 

C. G. P. 



LETTER FROM ADMIRAL DIGBY TO 
GENH WASHINGTON. 

(From the Papers of the Continental Congress.) 
New York 5th March 1782. 

Sir 

I have just received your Excellency's Let- 
ter of 26*^ February, and will agreeable to 
your Proposal authorize Major General O'Hara 
and Brigadier General Abercrombie to treat con- 
cerning the Exchange of American Sea Prison- 
ers for the British Prisoners in your Possession, 
which is the only Point I know of, that wants 
regulation with respect to the Naval Prisoners. 

I have the Honor to be 
Your Excellency's 

Very obedient Servant 

ROB^ DiGBY 

His Excellency Genl. Washington 



Extracts from Minutes of the Proceedings of 
the Commissioners mutually appointed for 
the "purpose of obviating all difficulties in 
Exchanges, for liquidating the Expenses of main- 
taining Prisoners and for making Solid arrange- 
ments for providing for them in future." 
68 



Appendix 69 

(From the Papers of the Continental Congress) 

Brigadier General Henry Knox and Gouver- 
neur Morris, Esq""? appointed by General 
Washington. 

Major General William Dairy mple Quarter 
Master Genl. to Sir Henry Clinton's army and 
Andrew Elliott Esq^? Superintendent General 
of the Police of New York appointed by Sir 
Henry Clinton. 

Commissioners met at Elizabeth Town, March 
31st, — April 19, 1782. 

[From Washington's instructions.] 

And whereas, numberless inconveniences and 
distresses have mutually arisen and happened 
for want of some permanent Establishment 
for the safe-keeping, subsisting, and Exchang- 
ing marine Prisoners. I have by letter of the 
26th. of February last, proposed to his Excellency 
Robt. Digby Esq^® at present commanding 
his Britannic Majestys Ships of War upon the 
American Station to send commissioners at the 
time and to the place before mentioned, properly 
authorized and empowered to treat, confer, 
determine and conclude upon a Cartel for the Ex- 
change and accommodation of all persons in 
the Naval Line — Should therefore Commissioners 
come properly authorized and empowered by 
him the said Robert Digby Esq^® or other 
Senior officer commanding His Britannic Majes- 



70 David Sproat 

ty's Ships of War upon the American Station, 
you are authorized to treat, confer, determine 
and conclude upon, with them, a Cartel or 
agreement either general or special for the 
subsisting, safe-keeping and Exchanging all 
Marine Prisoners of War, provided such Cartels 
or Agreements establish rules for the similar 
Treatment of Marine Prisoners captured by 
either Power in all Cases whatever. 



Whereas General Washington has empowered 
Commissioners to treat for the Exchange of 
Prisoners — 

I do therefore hereby authorize you to treat 
with the said Commissioners for the Exchange 
of any British Prisoners now in their possession 
in lieu of those indebted to the Navy; and 
further after such account is settled, for such 
as are now in my possession at New York and 
for that purpose I inclose you an account of the 
State of Prisoners as it now stands. 

Given under my Hand at New York the i8th. 
of March 1782 

Robert Digby 

(From the meeting of April 7.) 
The Undersigned Commissioners having trans- 
mitted to Admiral Digby the proposition which 
they had the honor to receive from the Com- 



Appendix 71 

missioners of General Washington respecting 
the collecting Naval Prisoners at certain places 
and establishing a Tariff to regulate their Ex- 
changes have received for answer that if Gene- 
ral Washington's Commissioners consent to pay 
the debt to the Navy — which they acknowledge 
by giving British Soldiers in exchange, the 
Admiral will not object to the Tariff proposed. 
The undersigned therefore as Commissioners 
from Rear Admiral Digby declare their readiness 
to proceed immediately to the liberation of all 
Naval American Prisoners, either owing to or 
actually in the possession of Admiral Digby, by 
accepting British Prisoners of war in Exchange. 

The Commissioners from General Washington 
produced the following paper, — 

" In the actual situation of affairs, the un- 
dersigned Commissioners etc. must decline Ex- 
changing Seamen for soldiers. They conceive 
that any Convention for liberating prisoners by 
pecuniary compensation would only form part 
of a general Cartel, the obstacles to which, they 
must lament, but cannot remove." 



Under date of 14th. of April the American 
Commissioners repeated that a proposal on the 
part of the British to give seamen for soldiers, 
or money for the latter could not be acceded to. 



LETTER FROM A COMMITTEE OF THE 

PRISONERS TO MR. RIVINGTON, 

WITH ENCLOSURES. 

(From The Royal Gazette, New York, Wednesday, 
June 12, 1782.) 

On board the prison ship Jersey, June 11, 1782. 

Sir: 

Inclosed are five letters, which if you will give 
a place in your news-paper, will greatly oblige 
a number of poor prisoners who seem to be 
deserted by our own countrymen, who has it 
in their power and will not exchange us. 

In behalf of the whole, we beg leave to sub- 
scribe ourselves, 
Sir, 

Your much obliged Servants, 

f John Cooper, 
I John Sheffield, 
Signed in behalf of the whole ■{ Wm . Chad 

I Rich. Eccleston, 
l^JoHN Baas. 

To Mr. James Rivington, Printer. 
72 



Appendix 73 

I. 

MR. SPROAT TO THE PRISONERS. 

New York, nth June, 1782. 

This will be handed you by Captain Daniel 
Aborn, and Doctor Joseph Bowen, who, agree- 
able to your Petition to his Excellency Rear- 
Admiral Digby, have been permitted to go out, 
and are now returned from General Washington's 
Head-Quarters, where they delivered your pe- 
tition to him, represented your disagreeable sit- 
uation at this extreme hot season of the year, 
and in your names solicited his Excellency to 
grant you speedy relief, by exchanging you for a 
part of the British soldiers, prisoners in his hands, 
the only possible means in his power to effect it. 

Mr. Aborn and the Doctor waits on you with his 
answer, which I am sorry to say is a flat denial. 

Inclosed I send you copies of three letters 
which have passed between Mr. Skinner and me, 
on the occasion, which will convince you that 
every thing has been done on the part of Ad- 
miral Digby, to bring about a fair and general 
exchange of prisoners on both sides. 
I am. Your most humble Servant, 

David Sproat, 
Commissary-General for 

Naval Prisoners. 
To the Prisoners on board 

his Majesty's prison-ship Jersey. 



74 David Sproat 



MR. SPROAT TO MR. SKINNER. 

New York, ist June, 1782. 
Sir: 

When I last saw you at Elizabeth-Town, I 
mentioned the bad consequence, which in all 
probability would take place in the hot weather, 
if an exchange of prisoners was not agreed to 
by the commissioners on the part of General 
Washington. 

His Exellency Rear-Admiral Digby has or- 
dered me to inform you, that the very great in- 
crease of prisoners and heat of the weather now 
baffles all our care and attention to keep them 
healthy: Five ships have been taken up for 
their reception, to prevent being crowded, and 
a great number permitted to go on parole. 

In Winter, and during the cold weather, they 
lived comfortably, being fully supplied with 
warm cloathing, blankets, etc., purchased with 
the money which I collected from the charitable 
people of this city; but now the weather requires 
a fresh supply — something light and suitable 
to the season — for which you will be pleased to 
make the necessary provision ; as it is impossible 
for them to be healthy in the rags they now 
wear, without a single shift of cloathing to keep 
themselves clean. Humanity, sympathy, my 
duty and orders obliges me to trouble you again 



Appendix 75 

on this disagreeable subject, to request you will 
lose no time in laying this their situation be- 
fore his Excellency General Washington, who, I 
hope, will listen to the cries of a distressed 
people, and grant them (as well as the British 
prisoners in hiG hands) relief, by consenting to 
a general and immediate exchange. 
I am, Sir, 

Your most obedient Servant, 
David Sproat, 
Commissary-General for 

Naval Prisoners. 
Abraham Skinner, Esq.; 

Commissary- General for Prisoners. 

3- 
MR. SKINNER'S REPLY. 

New York, June 9th, 1782. 

Sir: 

From the present situation of the American 
naval prisoners on board your prison ships, I am 
induced to propose to you the exchange of as 
many of them as I can give you British naval 
prisoners for; leaving the balance already due 
to you to be paid when in our power. I could 
wish this to be presented to his Excellency 
Rear Admiral Digby, and that the proposal 
could be acceded to, as it wou'd relieve many 



76 David Sproat 

of those distrest men and be consistent with 
the humane purposes of our office. 

I will admit that we are unable at present, 
to give you seaman for seaman and thereby re- 
lieve the prison ships of their dreadful burthen ; 
but it ought to be remembered that there is a 
large balance of British soldiers ^ due to the 
United States, since February last, and that as 
we have it in our power, we may be disposed 
to place the British soldiers who are now in our 
possession in as disagreeable a situation as 
those men are on board the prison ships. 

I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant, 

Abm. Skinner, 
Com. Gen. for Prisoners. 
David Sproat, Esq.; 

Com. Gen. for Naval 
Prisoners, New York. 



MR. SPROAT'S REPLY. 

New York, June 9, 1782. 
Sir: 

I have received your letter of this date, and 
laid it before his Excellency Rear Admiral 
Digby, commander in chief, &c. &c. &c. who 
has directed me to give for answer, that the 

1 About 250 men who Mr. Sproat offered to discount 
if a general exchange took place. — Ed. of The Royal 
Gazette. 



Appendix 77 

balance of prisoners, ^ owing to the British 
having proceeded from lenity and humanity, 
on the part of himself and those who commanded 
before his arrival, is surprised you have not been 
induced to offer to exchange them first; and 
until this is done cannot consent to your proposal 
of a partial exchange, leaving the remainder, 
as well as the British prisoners in your hands to 
linger in confinement. 

Conscious of the American prisoners under 
my direction, being in every respect taken 
as good care of as their situation and ours 
will admit; you must not believe that Admi- 
ral Digby will depart from the justice of this 
measure, because you have it in your power 
to make the British Soldiers who are prisoners 
with you, more miserable than there is any 
necessity for. 

I am, Sir, 

Your humble Servant. 

David Sproat, 
Commissary-General for 

Naval Prisoners. 
Abraham Skinner, Esq.; 

American Commissary-General 
for Prisoners, at present 
in New York. 

1 Upwards of 1,300 Naval Prisoners have been sent 
more than we have received. — Ed. of The Royal 
Gazette. 



78 David Sproat 

5- 
ADDRESS BY THE COMMITTEE OF PRIS- 
ONERS. 

On board the Prison Ship Jersey, 
New York June 11. (1782.) 
Friends and Fellow Countrymen of America. 

You may bid a final adieu to all your friends 
and relations who are now on board the Jersey- 
prison ship at New- York, unless you rouse the 
government to comply with just and honourable 
proposals, which has already been done on the 
part of Britons, but alas! it is with pain we in- 
form you, that our petition to his Excellency 
General Washington, offering our services to 
the country during the present campaign, if 
he would send soldiers in exchange for us, is 
frankly denied. 

What is to be done? are we to lie here and 
share the fate of our unhappy brothers who are 
dying daily? No, unless you relieve us im- 
mediately, we shall be under the necessity of 
leaving our country, in preservation of our lives. 
'John Cooper, 
John Sheffield, 
William Chad, 
Richard Eccleston, 
George Wanton, 
,John Baas. 
Mr. James Rivington, Printer, New York. 



Signed in behalf of 
prisoners, 



LETTER FROM MR. SKINNER TO GEN^ 
WASHINGTON. 

(From the Papers of the Continental Congress.) 
New Burgh June nth. 1782 

Sir 

In obedience to your Excellency's Commands 
of the 6th inst. — I have had an interview with 
the British Commissary on the Subject of the 
situation of the american naval Prisoners at 
New York, and proposed to him to Exchange 
those now in our hands, for an equal number 
of those on board the Enemy's prison Ships — 

This proposal he will not accede to, as appears 
by his Letter in answ^er to one I wrote him; 
copies of which I inclose for your Excellency's 
perusal. ^ 

The Enemy Still continue their designs to 
oblige our Seamen to enter into their service — 
I was not permitted to visit their Prison or 
Hospital Ships, but I am authorized to say, 
That their situation is truly deplorable, and 
tho' many of them are put on two of the Islands 
in the Harbor of New York, and some pains 
taken for the treatment of the Sick, yet from 

> See letters Nos. 3 & 4, pages 75 and 76. — J. L. B. 
79 



So David Sproat 

the nature of their disorders (being of a putrid 
kind and very similar to the plague) the greatest 
part of those unhappy Men must^die in a very 
Short time. — 

I have the honor to remain 
Your Excellencys 
Mo Obt. Servt. 

Abm. Skinner. 
Com. Gen. pris. 
His Excellency 

General Washington. 



LETTER FROM A COMMITTEE OF CAPT- 
AINS. NAVAL PRISONERS, TO MR. 
RIVINGTON; WITH A REPORT ON 
THE CONDITION OF THE PRISONERS 
ON BOARD THE PRISON-SHIPS. 

(From The Royal Gazette, New York, Wednesday, 
June 26, 1782) 

New York, 22d June, 1782. 

Sir: 

We beg you will be pleased to give the inclosed 
Report and Resolve of a number of Masters of 
American vessels, a place in your next News- 
paper, for the information of the public. In 
order to undeceive numbers of our countrymen 
without the British lines, who have not an 
opportunity of seeing the state and situation 
of the prisoners in New York, as we have done, 
We are, Sir, 

Your most obedient humble servants, 
Robert Harris, 
John Chace, 
Charles Collins, 
Philemon Haskell, 
Jonathan Carnes. 
To Mr. Rivington. 



82 David Sproat 

(Report) 

We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, 
late Masters of American vessels, which have 
been captured by the British cruizers and 
brought into this port, having obtained the 
enlargement of our paroles from his Excellency- 
Rear Admiral Digby, to return to our respective 
homes, being anxious before our departure 
to know the true state and situation of the 
prisoners confined on board the prison ships 
and prison hospital ships, have requested and 
appointed six of our number, viz.; Robert 
Harris, Charles Collins, John Chace, Philemon 
Haskell, Jonathan Carnes, and Christopher 
Smith, to go on board the said prison ships and 
prison hospital ships for that purpose, and the 
said Robert Harris, Charles Collins, John Chace, 
Philemon Haskell, Jonathan Carnes, and Christo- 
pher Smith, having gone on board five of 
those vessels, attended by Mr. David Sproat, 
Commissary General for Naval Prisoners, and 
Mr. George Rutherford, Surgeon to the prison 
hospital ships; do report to us that they have 
found them in as comfortable a situation as it is 
possible for prisoners to be on board of ships 
at this season of the year, and much more so 
than they had any idea of, and that any thing 
said to the contrary, is false and without found- 
ation: That they inspected their beef, pork, 



Appendix 83 

flour, bread, oatmeal, pease, butter, liquors, and 
indeed every other species of provisions which 
is issued on board his Britannic Majesty's ships 
of war, and found them all good of their kind, 
which survey being made before the prisoners, 
they acknowledged the same and declared that 
they had no complaint to make but the want of 
cloaths and a speedy exchange: We, therefore, 
from this Report, and what we have all seen 
and known, DO DECLARE, that great com- 
mendation is due to his Excellency, Rear- 
Admiral Digby, for his humane disposition and 
indulgence to his prisoners, and also to those he 
entrusts the care of them to; viz. the Captain 
and officers of his Majesty's prison ship Jersey, 
for their attention in preserving good order, 
having the ship kept clean and awnings spread 
over the whole of her, 'fore and 'aft : To Doctor 
Rutherford and the Gentlemen acting under him 
as Mates, for their constant care and attendance 
on the sick, whom we found in wholesome clean 
ships; also, covered with awnings, 'fore and 'aft, 
every man furnished with a cradle, bed and 
sheets, made of good Russia linen, to lay in; 
the best of fresh provisions, vegetables, wine, 
rice, barley, &c. which was served out to them. 
And we further do declare, in justice to Mr. 
Sproat, and the gentlemen acting under him in 
his department, that they conscientiously do 
their duty with great humanity and indulgence 



84 



David Sproat 



to the prisoners, and reputation to themselves: 
And we unanimously do agree, that nothing 
is wanting to preserve the lives and health of 
those unfortunate prisoners but clean cloaths, 
and a speedy exchange, which testimony we 
freely give without constraint, and covenant 
each with the other, to endeavour to effect 
their exchange as soon as possible: For the 
remembrance of this our engagement, we have 
furnished ourselves with copies of this instru- 
ment of writing. 

Given under our hands at New York, the 
twenty-second day of June, 1782. 

Robert Harris, 
Charles Collins, 
John Chase, 
Philemon Haskell, 
John Carnes, 
Christopher Smith, 
James Gaston, 
John Tanner, 
Daniel Aborn, 
Richard Mumford, 
Robert Clifton, 
John M. Kever, 
J. BowEN, Doctor. 



Captains, 



LETTER FROM MR. SPROAT TO MR. 
RIVINGTON WITH ENCLOSURES. 

(From The Royal Gazette, New York, Wednesday, 
July 3, 1782) 

New York, July 2, 1782. 
Sir: 

Inclosed I send you a letter from Abraham 
Skinner, Esq.; for publication, which you will 
observe is by his own request; therefore be 
pleased to give it a place in your newspaper 
tomorrow, as well as the other two letters here- 
with inclosed the one from his Excellency- 
General Washington, to his Excellency Rear- 
Admiral Digby, and the other the Admiral's 
answer to him, which I have been allowed also 
to publish, to shew the public, that the evils 
brought on the prisoners proceed from want of 
being regularly exchanged. 

I am. Sir, your most obedient servant, 

David Sproat, 
Commissary General for 

Naval Prisoners. 

Mr. James Rivington, 
Printer, New York. 

85 



86 David Sproat 



GENERAL WASHINGTON TO REAR- 
ADMIRAL DIGBY. 

Head-Quarters, June 5th, 1782. 
Sir: 

By a parole, granted to two gentlemen, 
Messrs. Aborn and Bowen, I perceive that your 
Excellency has granted them permission to 
come to me with a representation of the suffer- 
ings of the American naval-prisoners at New- 
York. 

As I have no agency on naval matters, this 
application to me is made on mistaken grounds — 
But curiosity leading me to enquire into the 
nature and cause of their sufferings, I am 
informed that the principal complaint is, that 
of their being crouded, especially at this season, 
in great numbers on board of foul and in- 
fectious prison ships, where disease and death 
are almost inevitable. This circumstance I am 
persuaded needs only to be mentioned to your 
Excellency to obtain that redress which is in 
your power only to afford, and which humanity 
so strongly prompts. 

If the fortune of war. Sir, has thrown a number 
of these miserable people into your hands, I am 
certain your Excellency's feelings for fellow 
men, must induce you to proportion the ships 
(if they must be confined on board ships) to their 



Appendix 87 

accommodation and comfort, and not by crowd- 
ing them together in a few, bring on disorders 
which consign them by half dozens in a day 
to the grave. 

The soldiers of his Britannic Majesty, prisoners 
with us, were they (which might be the case) 
to be equally crouded together in close and 
confined prisons, at this season, would be ex- 
posed to equal loss and misery. 

I have the honor to be, Sir, 

Your Excellency's most obedient 
Humble Servant, 

Geo. Washington. 
His Excellency Rear- Admiral Digby. 
2. 
REAR-ADMIRAL DIGBY'S REPLY 

New York, June lo, 1782. 
Sir: 

My feelings prompted me to grant Messrs. 
Aborn and Bowen permission to wait on your 
Excellency to represent their miserable situation. 
And if your Excellency's feelings on this occasion 
are like mine, you will not hesitate one moment 
relieving both the British and Americans suffer- 
ing under confinement. 
I have the Honour to be. 

Your Excellency's, 

Very obedient Servant, 

RoBf Dgiby. 
His Excellency General Washington. 



88 David Sproat 

3- 
MR. SKINNER TO MR. SPROAT. 

Camp, Highlands, June 24th, 1782. 
Sir: 

As I perceive by a New- York paper of the 
12th instant, the last letters which passed be- 
tween us on the subject of naval prisoners have 
been committed to print, I must request the 
same be done with this, which is intended 
to contain some animadversions on those pub- 
lications. 

The principles and policy which appear to 
actuate your superiors in their conduct towards 
the American seamen, who unfortunately fall 
into their power, are too apparent to admit of 
a doubt or misapprehension. I am sorry to 
observe Sir, that notwithstanding the affecta- 
tion of candour and fairness on your part, from 
the universal tenor of behaviour on your side 
of the lines; it is obvious, that the designs of 
the British is, by misrepresenting the state of 
facts with regard to exchanges, to excite 
jealousy in the minds of our unfortunate seamen, 
that they are neglected by their countrymen, 
and by attempting to make them believe, that all 
the miseries they are now suffering in consequence 
of a pestilential sickness, arise from want of 
inclination in General Washington to exchange 
them when he has it in his power to do it; in 
hopes of being able by this insinuation, and by 



Appendix 89 

the unrelenting severity you make use of in 
confining them in the contaminated holds of 
prison ships, to compel them, in order to avoid the 
dreadful alternative of almost inevitable death, 
to enter the service of the King of Great Britain. 
To shew that these observations are just and 
well grounded, I think it necessary to inform 
you of some facts which have happened within 
my immediate notice, and to put you in mind 
of others which you cannot deny. I was 
myself present at the time when Captain Aborn 
and Doctor Bowen (who were permitted by 
Admiral Digby to come out and represent 
their situation, and solicit the exchange of 
naval for land prisoners,) waited on his Ex- 
cellency General Washington, and know per- 
fectly well the answer his Excellency gave to that 
application; — he informed them in the first 
place, that he was not directly or indirectly 
invested with any power or interference re- 
specting the exchange of naval prisoners; 
that this business was formerly under the di- 
rection of the Board of Admiralty, that upon the 
annihilation of that Board, Congress had com- 
mitted it to the Financier (who had in charge 
all our naval prisoners) and he to the Secretary 
at War ; that he (the General) was notwithstand- 
ing disposed to do everything in his power for 
their assistance and relief; that as exchanging 
seamen for soldiers was contrary to the original 



90 David Sproat 

agreement for the exchange of prisoners, which 
specified that officers should be exchanged for 
officers, soldiers for soldiers, citizens for citizens, 
and seamen for seamen ; as it was contrary to the 
custom and practice of other nations, and as it 
would be, in his opinion, contrary to the soundest 
policy, by giving the enemy a great and per- 
manent strength, for w^hich we could receive 
no compensation, or at best, but a partial and 
temporary one, he did not think it would 
be admissible; but as it appeared to him, from 
a variety of well authenticated information, the 
present misery and mortality which prevailed 
among the naval prisoners, were almost entirely, 
if not altogether, produced by the mode of their 
confinement being closely crowded together in 
infectious prison-ships, where the very air 
is pregnant with disease, and the ships them- 
selves (never having been cleaned in the course 
of many years) a mere mass of putrefaction ; 
he would therefore, from motives of humanity, 
write to Rear- Admiral Digby, in whose power 
it was to remedy this great evil, by confining 
them on shore, or having a sufficient number of 
prison-ships provided for the purpose; for 
he observed, it was as preposterously cruel to 
confine 800 men at this sultry season, on board 
the Jersey prison-ship,^ as it would be to shut 

1 Five ships were in use at this time, see page 74. 
—J. L. B. 



Appendix 91 

up the whole army of Lord Cornwallis to perish 
in the New Gaol of Philadelphia; but if more 
commodious and healthy accommodations were 
not afforded, we had the means of retaliation in 
our hands, which he should not hesitate, in that 
case, to make use of, by confining the land 
prisoners with as much severity as our seamen 
were held. The Gentlemen of the Committee 
appeared to be sensible of the force of those rea- 
sons, however repugnant they might be to the 
feelings and wishes of the men who had de- 
struction and death staring them in the face. 

His Excellency was further pleased to suffer 
me to go to New York to examine into the 
ground of the suffering of the prisoners, and to 
devise, if possible, some way or another, for 
their liberation or relief: With this permission 
I went to your lines ; and in consequence of the 
authority I had been previously invested with, 
from the Secretary at War, I made the proposal 
contained in my letter to you of the 9th inst. 
Although I could not claim this as a matter of 
right, I flatter'd myself it would have been 
granted from the principles of humanity as well 
as other motives. There had been a balance of 
495 land prisoners due to us ever since the 
month of February last, when a settlement was 
made; besides which, to the best of my belief, 
400 have been sent in (this is the true state of the 
fact, though it differs widely from the account of 



92 David Sproat 

250 men, which is falsely stated in the note, 
annexed to my letter in the New- York paper) : 
notwithstanding this balance, I was then about 
sending into your lines a number of land prisoners , 
as an equivalent for ours, who were then confined 
in the Sugar-House, without which (though the 
debt was acknowledged) I could not make inter- 
est to have them liberated; this business has 
since been actually negotiated, and we glory 
in having our conduct, such as will bear the 
strictest scrutiny, and be found consonant to the 
dictates of reason, liberality and justice. But, 
Sir, since you would not agree to the proposals 
I made, since I was refused being permitted 
to visit the prison-ships ^ (for which I conceive 
no other reason can be produced than your being 
ashamed or afraid of having those graves of our 
seamen seen by one who dared to represent the 
horrors of them to his countrymen) . Since the 
commissioners from your side, at their late 
meeting, would not enter into an adjustment 
of the accounts for supplying your naval and 
land prisoners, on which there are large sums 
due to us; and since your superiors will neither 
make provision for the support of your prisoners 
in our hands, nor accommodation for the mere 
existence of ours, who are now languishing in 
your prison-ships, it becomes my duty, Sir, to 

1 Denied by Mr. Sproat, see p. 97. — J. L. B. 



Appendix 93 

state these pointed facts to you, that the 
imputations may recoil where they are deserved, 
and to report to those, under whose authority 
I have the honor to act, that such measures as 
they deem proper may be adopted. 

And now, Sir, I will conclude this long letter, 
with observing that not having a sufficiency of 
British seamen in our possession, we are not able 
to release ours by exchange ; this is our misfortune 
but it is not a crime, and ought not to operate as 
a mortal punishment against the unfortunate 
— we ask no favour; we claim nothing but 
common justice and humanity, while we assert to 
the whole world, as a notorious fact, that the 
unprecedented inhumanity in the mode of con- 
fining our naval prisoners, to the amount of 800, 
in one old hulk,i which has been made use of as 
a prison-ship for more than years, without ever 
having been once purified, has been the real and 
sole cause of the death of hundreds of brave 
Americans who would not have perished in that 
untimely and barbarous manner, had they 
(when prisoners) been suffered to breathe a purer 
air, and to enjoy more liberal and convenient 
accommodations, agreeably to the practice of 
civilized nations, when at war, the example which 
has always been set you by the Americans: 
You may say, and I shall admit, that if they 

1 See note page 90. — J. L. B. 



94 David Sproat 

were placed on islands, and more liberty given 
them, that some might desert, but is not this 
the case with your prisoners in our hands ? 
And could we not avoid this also if we were to 
adopt the same rigid and inhuman mode of 
confinement you do?^ 

I beg, Sir, you will be pleased to consider 
this as addressed to you officially, as the princi- 
pal executive officer in the department of 
naval-prisoners, and not personally; and that 
you will attribute any uncommon warmth of 
style, which I may have been led into, to my 
feeling and animation, on a subject, with which 
I find myself so much interested, both from the 
principles of humanity and the duties of office. 
I am. Sir, 

Your most obedient Servant, 

Abram Skinner, 
Commissary- General for Prisoners. 

David Sproat, Esq. 

4- 

MR. SPROAT'S REPLY. 

New York, June 30, 1782. 
Sir: 

I received your letter, dated Highlands, the 
24th instant, and in compliance with your 

' Prison ships were used by the Americans, see p. 
3 -J. L. B. 



Appendix 95 

request, will send it to the press for publication. 

The animadversions you have been pleased to 
make in the last letters which passed between 
us on the subject of exchange of prisoners, are 
exceedingly indelicate; many of them not 
founded on matters of fact, and therefore will 
not answer the purpose for which they seem 
calculated, viz. to shut the mouths of your 
injured countrymen from complaining against 
those in power amongst you. 

Whether his Excellency General Washington 
Commander-in-Chief has agency on naval mat- 
ters, or whether the exchange of prisoners 
comes under the immediate direction of the 
Financier or Secretary at War, is but small 
consolation for the poor captive to know, after 
the effects resulting from long confinement 
has brought on his ruin. In this manner, 
according to custom, it appears you are attempt- 
ing to vindicate the character of those under 
whose authority you say you have the honor 
to act, by endeavouring to throw the blame 
off yourselves on my superiors here, as being 
the cause of the prisoners suffering in confine- 
ment; such doctrine from your side the lines 
brings nothing new. It is become quite common 
for your public writers, when Americans strike 
the blow, to attempt to cast the odium on the 
British, and trumpet the injury as received, 
when in fact themselves are the aggressors. 



96 David Sproat 

The present case is exactly in point. — In 
the beginning of April last, when the Commis- 
sioners met at Elizabeth Town, his Excellency 
Rear-Admiral Digby empowered those on the 
part of the British, to offer in exchange the 
American seamen for British soldiers man for 
man, because you had not a sufficient number 
of British seamen, or the least prospect of col- 
lecting as many, to give in exchange for your 
own who were then in confinement here ; and be- 
cause he foresaw the impossibility of keeping 
them healthy when the hot season of the year 
would come on ; but this generous proposal was 
rejected by the Commissioners on the part of 
General Washington, in consequence of which 
many prisoners on both sides, have fell victims 
to your cruelty, in not suffering their exchanges 
to take place: And it is evident to the world, 
however you may gloss the matter, that the 
deaths of many may be altogether attributed to 
this cause. Read the declaration hereunto 
subjoined, of a number of old experienced 
Masters of American vessels ; ^ surely no one will 
be so hardy as contradict what they have said 
in the matter; which is, that the best care 
possible is taken of them, and that nothing 
is wanted to relieve them, but the want of 
Cloaths and a speedy Exchange ; which is clearly 

» The "Report " of the Masters of American vessels, 
p. 82.— J. L. B. 



Appendix 97 

proved lays solely with Gen. Washington to 
comply with or some other person in power 
amongst you. 

Your not having a sufficiency of British 
seamen to exchange yours who are prisoners here, 
I never did allege was a "crime," but give me 
leave, Sir, to say, that I think it shews a very 
great want of humanity and certainly is a 
crime in you, not to make use of the British 
soldiers in your hands in exchange for your 
own seamen; however policy may dictate, every 
good man must shudder at the thought of de- 
voting such a number of your fellow creatures 
to drag out life in confinement ; it is really a won- 
der that they do not all enter into our service 
rather than submit to such treatment. 

You may say that you was refused leave to go 
on board the prison-ships — This I deny, on 
the contrary. Sir, when it was proposed, you 
declined it — and I cannot help taking notice of 
your claiming the merit of shewing us the 
example of treating the prisoners well. Do 
but call to mind the numbers of British sailors 
and soldiers who have been coop'd up in the 
gaols, at Philadelphia at this season of the year, 
crouded as much as ever the prison ships here, 
and fed on a scanty allowance of dried stinking 
clams, and bread and water only, — in order to 
compel them to enter on board your privateers: 
Of the example set at Boston, and in other ports, 



98 David Sproat 

where your ships of war have been, in pressing 
the British subjects, who were prisoners at the 
time, on board of them, against their will, and 
this as often as they had occasion for their 
service.^ But our mission admits not of con- 
troversy, therefore I shall rest the merit of this 
cause on the following declaration of your 
own people. 
I am. Sir, 

Your most obedient humble Servant 

David Sproat, 
Commissary-General for 
Naval-Prisoners. 

P. S. 

The note respecting the balance of prisoners 
due you by Mr. Loring, which you have been 
disposed to call false, was taken from himself, 
who has since made a more particular inspection 
of the accounts as they stood at the time, and 
finds the balance to be no more than 245. 

Abram Skinner, Esq. , Commissary- 
General, at Camp, Highlands, 
or elsewhere. 



LETTER FROM THE SECRETARY AT 

WAR TO THE PRESIDENT OF 

CONGRESS. 

(From the Papers of the Continental Congress) 

War Office, June 28, 1782. 
Sir, 

The enclosed extract from the Commissary of 
Prisoners' letter to me represents the wish 
of our Marine prisoners in New York that a 
boat might be permitted to fish on the banks 
near Sandy Hook, for their benefit — and the 
request of the British Commissary that permis- 
sion might be granted him to purchase wood, 
for the use of our prisoners, within our lines, 
where it can be procured much cheaper than with 
the enemy — and will enable him to afford the 
prisoners a greater supply. 

The distressed situation of those prisoners — 
the little probability there is that all of them 
will soon be liberated and the necessity we are 
under, not only to do everything in our power 
to alleviate their sufferings, but to convince 
them that they are the objects of our attention, 
in order to reconcile them as much as possible 
to the miseries of a loathsome confinement until 
they can be exchanged — and to prevent them 
99 



loo David Sproat 

— from an idea that they are neglected, engaging 
in the service of Britain, are considerations 
which will I think fully justify a compliance 
with their request. 

Should His Excellency General Washington 
be directed to take order in the matter, he will 
have it under his immediate controul, and may 
suspend it whenever he finds that it is injurious 
or does not answer the good purposes intended, 
or he may indulge it under such limitations as 
shall appear necessary. 

Should Congress be of these sentiments they 
will please to direct that General Washington 
take order in the matter. 

I have the honor to be with profound respect 
Your Excellency's most obedt. humble 
Servt. 

B. Lincoln. 



PETITION SIGNED BY loo PRISONERS 

(From Onderdonk's Revolutionary Incidents of 
Suffolk and Kings Counties.) 

Connecticut Gazette. 

Aug. 15, 1782 — We are now prisoners with 
the British, some in the New Jail or Provost, 
some in the Jersey ship, some in the Falmouth, 
others in the brig Lord Dunlace and others on 
Blackwell's Island— Though Mr. Sproat furnishes 
us with the King's allowance of choice beef, 
pork and bread yet we suffer for many things 
(not in the province of the Commissary) such as 
money and clothing but most of all our dear 
liberty. Let us urge our friends to think 
seriously of our situation and get us exchanged — 
We are well supplied with medicines and good 
doctors, yet so many of us are together this 
season, we are sickly and many die. 

We must first look to our parents and con- 
nections, then to our employers. Captains and 
friends urging their doing every thing to get 
our releasement — do not mind the expense. 

(100 signers). 



LETTER FROM DAVID SPROAT TO MAJOR 

MACKENZIE, SECRETARY TO THE 

COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. 

(London Papers. Royal Institution. Vol. 41. fo. 19.) 
New York, May loth, 1783. 

Sir 

In compliance with your request, I beg leave 
to inform you that, on Sunday the 6th of last 
month His Excellency Rear-Admiral Digby 
Ordered Captain John Beazley of His Majestys 
Ship Ampheon to go on board the prison Ships 
accompanied by me, and read the Proclamation 
which was accordingly done — The same day it 
was read to the Naval Prisoners in the Provost 
and a Circular letter sent off express to the 
prisoners who were on Parole on Long Island — 
informing them thereof, and desireing them to 
hold themselves in readiness to be sent out — The 
next day I had six Vessels in the Walabough 
under Flags of Truce, which on the 9th of 
April took the whole of the prisoners on board 
& carried them to their respective places of 
abode to save them expence and the fatigue 
of long Marches — excepting about 18 or 20 



Appendix 103 

Sick & wounded who cou'd not be removed 
with safety — concerning them I wrote to Mr. 
G. Turner, Chief under Mr. Morris for Marine 
Prisoners, but received no answer — The poor 
people having got better they were delivered to 
Mr. Hopkins Intendant for pris — who sent 
them to Boston the 3d Instant. — 

The Provost was cleared of the Marine 
Prisoners (without exception) on the loth of 
April And on and after the 7th of same month 
Passports were granted to those who were on 
Parole to go out, as it suited their convenience. 
I have the honor to be 
Sir 

Your most obedt humbl Servt 

David Sproat 
Commissary General for 
Naval Prisoners. 
Major Mackenzey 
D A Genl. 

N 25 Broad St. 

Endorsed: Mr. Sproat. Com Gen N Pris^^ loth May 
1783- 



LETTER FROM MR. SPROAT TO PRESI- 
DENT DICKINSON OF PENNSYLVANIA. 

(From the Pennsylvania Archives.) 

New York, July 5, 1783. 

Sir: 

Since my appointment to be Commissary 
of Prisoners, your Excellency may easily be 
informed that I have at all times contributed 
as much as it has been in my power to relieve 
their distress, and make confinement as com- 
fortable to them as possible. No fund being ap- 
propriated to furnish them with clothing, beding, 
etc., which they stood very much in need of; 
every Fall of the year after making a requisition 
to the American Commissary to supply them, 
I set a subscription on foot to raise money for 
that purpose, and never failed in procuring the 
sum wanted until last year circumstances 
joined to prevent it. As no public charge was 
ever intended to be made, no particular account 
was ever kept of the individuals to whom the 
different articles were issued, some of the prison- 
104 



Appendix 105 

ers got more and others less according as their 
wants required, without regard to the County 
or State they came from. 

In the month of January last, after the 
prisoners had been chiefly supplied with their 
winter clothing and beding, a shallop arrived 
here from Philadelphia with about i8o Bis. of 
flour and some potatoes, addressed to a Mr. 
Robins of this place, with instructions to him 
to apply the proceeds in purchasing necessaries 
for the prisoners belonging as he said to that 
State only. I expected that he would have 
gone hand in hand with me in the business, 
however he has never paid me any part of that 
money which amounted to at least ;£8oo the 
profits on which was sufficient to supply the 
whole of the Pennsylvania prisoners here at that 
time, but he objected to the greatest part of 
them, in particular to the whole of those taken 
in the So. Carolina who must have perished had I 
not supplied them, and they were chiefly belong- 
ing to your State, a circumstance which perhaps 
Mr. Robins constituents did not know when 
they gave him those orders. 

Inclosed I send a copy of the account by 
Mr. Francis Gurney, who has seen the vouchers 
and will explain the matter more fully to your 
Excellency, who's known character leaves no 
doubt with me, that you will be pleased to take 
such steps for my reimbursement, of the part 



io6 David Sproat 

you think equitable to pay for the honor of 
the State over which you preside. 

With every sentiment of esteem and most 
perfect regard. 

I have the honor to be, 

Your Excellency's most obedient 
humble servant, 

David Sproat. 
Directed. 

His Excellency Govr. Dickinson. 



LETTER FROM MR. SPROAT TO MR. 
ROBERT MORRIS. 

(From the Papers of the Continental Congress) 
On Board the Ship Earl Corn- 

WALLIS OFF StATEN IsLAND, 

December lo, 1783. 

Sir, 

The settlement of public business prevented 
my doing myself the honor prior to the evacua- 
tion concerning a matter which I wish to make 
you acquainted with. 

No funds or Credit being established by the 
parties at war against Great Britain, for supply- 
ing the Naval Prisoners with Clothing, bedding 
and other necessaries ; I have since my appoint- 
ment, always furnished them, (here in New 
York) with every thing comfortable, and 
trusted to the benevolence of the people for my 
reimbursement, which prov'd sufficient till last 
year, my resources fell short ;£554.o.3 Currency, 
owing to unforeseen causes, and the great num- 
ber who were supplyed. 

In the first place, the Legislature, the Execu- 
tive Council of Pennsylvania, proposed to con- 
tribute a part provided the Admiral would grant 
IC7 



io8 David Sproat 

permission for produce to be sent round for 
that purpose, — that being obtained a Shallup 
arrived in the month of January with 1 80 barrels 
of flour, which was sold for between 8 or ;i^9oo 
Currency, but no sooner had the Consignee got 
the money into his hands than I was told that 
no part of it was to be applied towards pay- 
ment of what was already furnished or for 
supplying the crew of the South Carolina, altho. 
they were chiefly Pennsylvanians. 

In the second place Mr. Wheeler of Baltimore, 
who was in New York at that time, gave me 
assurances, that if I could procure for Maryland 
the same indulgence which had been granted to 
Pennsylvania, he would write to the Governor 
and cause produce to be sent here, sufficient 
to defray the expense incurred by their People- 
This was also obtained, and in consequence 
thereof, one or more cargoes arrived, with 
Governour Paca's special permission for that 
purpose but no part of the proceeds was ever 
applyed for the benefit of the prisoners. I 
took the liberty of writing to their Excellencys 
the Governours of Pennsylvania and Maryland, 
and informed them fully of these matters: 
the former answered me by the Secy. Mr. 
Armstrong, corresponding with the distribution 
of their charity ; but the latter has not honored 
me with any reply. 



Appendix 109 

In consequence of many letters which I wrote 
to the Intendants in the New England States, 
they sent in money for their prisoners, but 
finding them already supplyed with every 
necessary, and the winter near over, the Cash, 
was divided amongst them, and I left to con- 
tinue in advance. 

WhenCapt"- " Kergariom " was a prisoner here, 
he wrote to the Chevr. de Luzerne expressive 
of the services and civilities I had shewn to 
prisoners of his nation in consequence thereof, I 
was honored with a letter from his Excellency 
giving me to understand that I should be repaid 
what money I had laid out on their account 
but from a correspondence I have had lately 
with Mr. Marbois and Don Francesco Rendon 
assuming the business of their respective nations 
I am referred for payment when the Cartel is 
settled in Europe, which you know did not 
extend to America. 

In the beginning of November 1782 I wrote 
to Mr. Turner, informing him of what was 
absolutely wanted for their immediate supply, 
but the season having advanced and no appear- 
ance of anything coming in, I waited on Lieu- 
tenant Colonel Wm. Smith the American 
Commissary General for Prisoners, and told 
him their situation, that they would really 
perish with cold unless something was done, 



no David Sproat 

for to procure them Bedding & Warm Cloth- 
ing at same time undertook to supply them 
on his assuring me that he would represent 
the matter to his Excellency the Commander 
in Chief, who I might depend upon, would not 
let me suffer by so humane an action. 

As no public charge was ever intended to be 
made, no particular account was kept of the 
individuals to whom the different articles were 
issued, some of the Prisoners got more, and 
others less, in proportion to their wants without 
regard to the country or State they came 
from. 

The accounts of the whole were transmitted 
to Mr. Marbois by desire of the Minister who 
will have the goodness to deliver them to you, 
provided you shall think it an object deserving 
the attention of the United States to order an 
Individual payment of a small sum of money 
disinterestedly advanced for the relief of their 
own Citizens and other unfortunate men, their 
Allies, whom the fate of war had deprived of the 
means of supplying themselves. 

From the honor of a former acquaintance 
with you and knowledge of your sensibility 
I am led to believe that the same motive which 
induced me to advance the money will secure 
to me your interest in obtaining payment 
whatever may be the answer to this letter. 



Appendix m 

I beg leave to request it may be handed to Mr. 
David Lenox ^ who will forward it to me. 
I have the honor to be 
Sir 

Your most obedient 
humble servant 

David Sproat. 
The Honorable 

Robert Morris, 

Agent of Marine 
Philadelphia 

1 Major Lenox, of Philadelphia, a nephew of Mr. 
Sproat.— J. L. B. 



LETTER FROM MR. MORRIS TO THE 
PRESIDENT OF CONGRESS 

(From the Papers of the Continental Congress) 
Office of Finance i6th January 1784. 

Sir 

I do myself the Honor to transmit to your 
Excellency the Copy of a Letter from Mr. 
David Sproat. I should not trouble Congress 
with it if the Supplies mentioned had been 
advanced to persons taken in the service of the 
United States. As it is I should suppose an 
express Appropriation of Money to this purpose 
to be necessary. Congress can best Judge 
whether that it be proper but if I were to 
express an Opinion it would be that the pay- 
ment of such Debts is the most effectual Mode 
of providing against those disastrous Accidents 
which the Citizens of America are liable to in 
common with the rest of mankind. 

I am Sir, with perfect Esteem and Respect 
Your Excellency's 

Most obedient 
& 
Humble Servant 

RoBT Morris 
His Excellency 

The President of Congress 



Appendix 113 

Indorsement] : 

Letter i6 Jany 1784 
Super: finance 
Respect^ a claim of D. Sproat 

for money advanced to naval 
prisoners 

Read 2 Feby 

3 Feby Referred to 
Mr. Ellery 
Mr. Beatty 
Mr. Forster 
Reported — Feby 6th 1784 — 
Referred — to Comm^^ Feby nth 1784 
Reported — May 3, 1784 — 



REPORT OF FEB. 6, 1784 

The Committee consisting of Mr. Ellery, Mr. 
Beatty and Mr. Foster, to whom the Letter 
of the Supt. of Finance of the i6th Jany 1784 
respecting a claim of D. Sproat for money ad- 
vanced to Naval prisoners with its enclosure 
was referred, report. 

That if any supplies were furnished by David 
Sproat to any citizens of the United States 
while they were prisoners to the British during 
the late war, at the request of States to which 
they belonged, or at the request of such citizens; 
to such States or citizens he should apply for 
compension; but as it appears from his letter 
that no public charge was ever intended to be 
made by him, the United States in Congress 
assembled are not accountable. 



114 



REPORT OF MAY 3, 1784 

The foregoing Committee report was read 
and recommitted to a Committee consisting of 
Messrs. Read, Spaight and Tilton, who reported 
the following resolve. 

"That where it is impossible to discriminate 
between the Prisoners or to separate the charges, 
the said Superintendent of Finance of the 
U. S. do issue to Mr. David Sproat a certificate of 
the sums due for supplies of Clothing, Bedding 
and such other necessaries as he may have 
furnished and the situation and circumstances 
of the Naval prisoners that were in his charge 
warranted. Which Certificate shall bear an 
interest of Six per centum per annum and shall 
be paid in like manner as other sums due from 
these United States for carrying on the war 
may or shall be paid. 



115 



MEMORIAL OF DAVID SPROAT. 

(From the papers in the Public Record Office of 
England, Audit Office Division.) 

TO THE COMMISSIONERS appointed by 
Act of Parliament for enquiring into the Losses 
and Services of the American Loyalists. 

THE MEMORIAL of David Sproat, late of 
Philadelphia, Merchant. 

Respectfully Sheweth 

That your Memorialist at an early period in 
the disturbances in America, left Philadelphia 
where he had lived many years as a respectable 
Merchant and joined the British Troops at New 
York. 

That as soon as your Memorialists flight 
was made known, his House was ransacked by 
the Committee his desks broke open, his Books, 
papers & furniture much damaged, his Clerk 
confined in a Dungeon for refusing to give them 
information, his Servants turned out of doors, 
and his House converted into an Hospital for 
the accommodation of the Rebel Soldiers. 

That your Memorialist came not to New 
York, merely to take Asylum from the Usurped 
hand of illegal power, but in order to aid in 
ii6 



Appendix 117 

Suppressing it, went as a Volunteer on the ex- 
pedition to Chesapeak Bay, under the Command 
of Lord and General Howe, and having rendered 
services to the Army after their Landing, was 
appointed Commissary of Prisoners at the 
Battle of Brandywine— That in the Year 1779 
when the British Seaman lay (much neglected) 
Prisoners of War almost in every Gaol in America, 
which obliged many of them to enter on board 
Rebel Privateers to the great detriment of our 
Trade, your Memorialist was appointed Com- 
missary General for Naval Prisoners in North 
America by Vice Admiral Arbuthnot. 

That your Memorialist with great fatigue & 
danger to which he was often exposed in going 
and coming from the Enemy's Country; per- 
severed in the duty of his Office exchanged all 
the Seamen who were then in Captivity and paid 
such attention to their Exchange afterwards, 
when any of them were taken again, as soon 
restored their services to their Country and 
established their confidence in Government. ^ 

That your Memorialist not only acted in this 
Naval department till the end of the War 
but in the absence of Loring, had the Honor to 
be appointed Commissary of Prisoners for the 
Army also by Lord Dorchester under whose 
Command he received and exchanged the 



Exchanged 7760 Sailors. 



ii8 David Sproat 

unfortunate Soldiers taken at Saratoga & 
York Town in Virginia^ — for an equal number 
of American Naval Prisoners due by the States 
to the King, as ^ Accounts in Possession of 
your Memorialist. 

That your Memorialists Conduct met with 
the warmest approbation of the Admiral's 
& General's under whom he had the Honor 
to serve, And altho' being recommended by 
them in a Memorial to Lord Sydney as a person 
"deserving every favor Government can bestow 
upon him" he hath not been able to procure 
half pay, Military Compensation, Pension, or 
other Emolument from Government whatever. 

That your Memorialist in consequence of the 
part he had taken was attainted of High Treason 
and his Estate Confiscated and sold, for the 
Amount, or value whereof, he begs leave to refer 
to the Schedules hereunto annexed. 

Your Memorialist therefore Prays that his 
case may be taken into consideration in order 
that he may be enabled under your report to re- 
ceive such aid or Relief as his Losses & Services 
may be found to deserve. And Memorialist will 

ever pray — 

David Sproat 

March 23rd, 1784. 

1 Soldiers 6040. 



May 17, 1787. 

EVIDENCE ON THE FOREGOING MEMORIAL 
OF DAVID SPROAT 

The Claimant Sworn 

Memorial read & sworn to 
Certificates to Loyalty from 
Lord Rodney 
Admiral Digby 
Admiral Affleck 
Capt. James Duncan 
& others 



119 



CERTIFICATE OF ADMIRAL RODNEY 

These are to Certify, The Commissioners — 
appointed to enquire into the Losses & Services 
of the American Loyalists — 

That on my arrival at New York in the year 
1780 with the fleet under my Command I found 
a very great inconveniency likely to ensue from 
the resignation of Mr. David Sproat Commissary 
General of Naval prisoners; who had managed 
that Department as I was informed (and from the 
exactness of his acc*.^ I entirely believed) with 
great propriety and credit. And it was not 
without some intercession which I made for the 
sake of the public, that I prevailed on him 
to continue to act by order from me. — This 
man being the only person I cou'd find capable 
of managing a business so complicated & ex- 
tensive I wrote to the Commissioners of the 
Sick & Hurt office that he might be established. ^ 

During twelve months then past it appeared 
he had exchanged 3,000 prisoners, had a balance 
of 800 due and 1,200 in the prison ships — which 
with the correspondence he was obliged to 
carry on required great assiduity and activity. 

1 Appendix, p. 125. 



Appendix 121 

It is on that account as well as for the useful 
intelligence I received from him afterwards and 
for the losses he sustained by the Rebellion 
and his character as a respectable Citizen and 
a Loyal Subject that I take the liberty to 
recommend him, to your Board as a person 
deserving every favor Government may bestow 
upon him 

Given under my hand 

May i2th, 1787 

Rodney 



CERTIFICATE OF ADMIRAL DIGBY 

I do hereby certify that when I took the 
command of his Maj^- Ships in America I 
found Mr. David Sproat acting as Commissary 
Gen^- of Naval Prisoners at N: York & that he 
continued to act as such during the whole time 
I commanded there; that he was always very 
diligent & active and that I ever supposed him 
to be a Zealous Loyalist. 

Given under my hand 

this loth day of May 1787 

ROB^SDlGBY 

Harley St. 

To the Commissioners for enquiring into y« 
Claims of the American Loyalists. 



CERTIFICATE OF ADMIRAL AFFLECK 

These are to certifie that Mr. David Sproat 

was employed as Commissary General of Naval 

Prisoners during my service in North America 

from 1780 to the End of the War, during part of 

which time I commanded in the Naval Line at 

New York and had frequent occasion to observe 

his attention to his Duty which was always 

very satisfactory by his strict obedience to my 

Orders; and I have every reason to conclude 

him perfectly faithfull & Loyal 

Given under my hand 

this 12th April 1787 

Edm: Affleck 



123 



CERTIFICATE OF CAPT. JAMES DUNCAN 

These are to Certify, the Honourable, the 
Commissioners appointed to enquire into the 
Losses & Services of American Loyalists; that 
Mr David Sproat served as Commissary General 
of Naval Prisoners in North America from the 
month of October 1 7 79 to the end of the War, and 
that after my appointment as Superintendent to 
the Civil department of the Navy, Mr Sproat 's 
assiduity and attention to the business of that 
important office merited my approbation and 
was highly satisfactory to all the Commanding 
officers at New York. — And I do also Certify 
that from Mr Sproat's public services, the 
loss of considerable property for his Loyalty 
and his general character there cannot appear 
before your Board a more deserving claimant 
of his Majesty's Bounty 

Dated at London this loth day 
of April 1787. 

James Duncan 



124 



COPY OF LORD RODNEYS LETTER RE- 
FERRED TO ON PAGE I20. 

Sandwich, New York 14th October 1780. 

Gentlemen 

I beg leave to represent to you that on my 
arrival here, I found a very great inconveniency 
in the management of the Department of Naval 
prisoners like to ensue from the Commissary 
General Mr David Sproat, who has managed 
it as I am most creditably informed (and 
from the exactness of his accounts I entirely be- 
lieve) with great propriety and credit during a 
twelve month, having sent his resignation on 
account of some disagreement to Mr. Arbuthnot 
then and still cruizing off Rhode Island. 

In that space it appears he had exchanged 
3000 prisoners and had notwithstanding a balance 
of 800 due, a like number on three different 
prison ships, since my being here the number 
is increased to 1200. 

It was not without some intercession which 
I made for the sake of the public (as this man 
is the only person I can find capable of managing 
the business properly) that I prevailed on him to 
continue to act by order from me — but whatever 
125 



126 David Sproat 

competitorship there might have been for the 
employ, his character as a Citizen & Loyal Sub- 
ject and as one that has lost considerably in this 
unnatural Rebellion should deservedly give 
him the preference. And on all these joint 
considerations it is that I recommend him 
to your Board for the appointment in a way 
that he may not be subject to being superseded. 
As this affair is of a very complicated & ex- 
tensive nature & requires a correspondence 
to be kept up, and accounts adjusted with the 
different Rebel States — A Deputy is also neces- 
sary for him at Halifax & Charlestown subject 
to his inspection and settlement for which clerks 
will be likewise necessary — I make no doubt 
you will settle it on such a plan as to recompence 
him in some degree and at least give him that 
bread to eat which he has been deprived of by 
his attachment to Government and which I 
verily believe his attention & assiduity with a 
particular knowledge in this kind of employ- 
ment will entitle him to. 

I am with great Regard 

Gent" Your most obed* Servt. 

Geo. B. Rodney 
The Commissioners 

for Sick and Hurt Seamen 
London 



Appendix 127 

Copy of the Certificate from the Commissioners 
for Sick and Hurt Seamen as to David Sproat's 
conduct during the time he was Commissary 
General for Naval Prisoners. 



By the Commissioners for 

taking Care of Sick and Hurt Seamen 
and for Exchanging Prisoners of War. 

These are to Certify that David Sproat, Esqr., 
has been employed in the Service of this Office 
as— Commissary General for Naval Prisoners of 
War in North America between the 13th 
October 1779 and 25th November 1783, and 
We do further Certify that his Accounts are 
passed and that he has conducted the Business 
entrusted to his Care to Our Satisfaction. 
Given under Our Hands at Our Office 
at Somerset Place the 3 1 st Aug^* 1787 
Walter Farquharson 

ViN CORBETT 
ROBT. LULMAN 

By Command of the Commissioners 
Nat^ Crow 



THE END. 



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